In the hopes of encouraging more girls to become the next generation of astronauts, engineers and space scientists, the European Space Agency has joined forces with Barbie.
The rather unexpected collaboration will highlight the achievements of Samantha Cristoforetti, who is the only active female astronaut in Europe.
Isabel Ferrer, European Director of Marketing for Barbie, said: “We are proud to launch this collaboration with the ESA with a clear goal: to inspire girls to become the next generation of astronauts, engineers and space scientists.
“Barbie has always shown girls that they can be anything, giving them the opportunity to interpret different roles through play and embark on countless number of careers encouraging imagination and self-expression.
“We know how important it is for girls to have role models and this new ESA collaboration helps us to take this to an astronomical new level.”
To kick off the collaboration, a series of motivational videos will be released, in which Ms Cristoforetti will show girls from the UK, Germany, France and Italy around the ESA European Astronaut centre in Cologne.
There will also be kids-targeted content on Barbie’s YouTube blogger channel, highlighting Ms Cristoforetti’s achievements.
Ersilia Vaudo-Scarpetta, Chief Diversity Officer for ESA, said: “The European Space Agency is strongly engaged in promoting girls’ interest in STEM subjects and space careers in particular, as we need a diversity of talents to imagine and enable the future in space.
“We are therefore proud to launch ESA’s collaboration with Barbie, highlighting inspiring role models as the astronauts and encouraging girls to believe in themselves, look at the sky and dream high.”
To celebrate the collaboration, Ms Cristofortti has also been presented with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll, depicting her in her spacesuit.
While the doll sadly isn’t available to buy, the collaboration has been described as ‘long-term’, suggesting an ESA Barbie doll could be in the works in the near future.
