Barbie Space Discovery Space Station Playset with Space Explorer Doll, Puppy, Workstation, Satellite Space Scenes & 20 Space Station Items:Chair, Test Tubes, Microscope, Puppy Bed, 3 - 7Years Old

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Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC. Two Barbie dolls from Mattel's Space Discovery line spent several months on the International Space Station in March 2022. (Image credit: Mattel) Barbie® teacher doll wears a blue dress with planetary graphics, white shoes and eyeglasses; the student has a dress with space print and pink boots. First, though, Barbie had to be dressed for the part. Although Mattel released its first in a series of spacesuited Barbie dolls in 1965, the one that Denison was gifted was not an "Astronaut Barbie." Instead, the wife of one of Denison's fellow crew instructors sewed an orange jumpsuit and styled the doll's hair for the flight. Blast off to new worlds with the Barbie® Space Discovery™ Space Station playset and inspire imaginations!

We rely on the generous support of donors, sponsors, members, and other benefactors to share the history and impact of aviation and spaceflight, educate the public, and inspire future generations. With your help, we can continue to preserve and safeguard the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the great achievements of flight and space exploration. Donate Now Become a Member • About But what sets these two very-well-traveled dolls apart may be less important than why they are just like all the other Barbies in children's hands, Weitekamp said. The dolls are off-the-shelf, rather than being custom made or dressed for space. There is perhaps no résumé in existence quite as long as Barbie’s. Known for her endless list of careers, Barbie has decades of experience in business, medicine, modeling, and just about any other industry you can imagine. After all, the intention behind Barbie was that she would allow girls to imagine themselves as young adults. And if you are imagining possible careers, why not think big? We're always fascinated to learn new things about the richness of spaceflight in the decades that have come before," said Margaret Weitekamp, curator of the National Air and Space Museum's social and cultural history of spaceflight collection, "though it does not change the museum's interests in the first officially flown Barbie dolls to go to the International Space Station. I think that the distinction of those toys being used explicitly for an educational purpose to inspire the next generation in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] still stands. During this time, Mattel also released another iteration of Space Camp Barbie (2008) as well as two scientist dolls: Space Scientist Barbie (2017) and Astrophysicist Barbie (2019). Several space-themed dolls based on real women were also released, perhaps in an attempt to show young girls that their dreams aren’t only possible in Barbieland. Among these highlighted women are Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician who worked on the Mercury program; Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; and Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian woman in space. 2021: Space Discovery Barbie

Two of the iconic fashion dolls are now on board the International Space Station (ISS), where they are part of "Mission DreamStar," an outreach project to inspire girls to consider careers in aerospace and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. As revealed by Mattel on Thursday (April 14), the dolls have been in Earth orbit since February as part of a collaboration between the toy company and the ISS U.S. National Laboratory. Two Space Discovery Barbies “tour” the Vegetable Production System (Veggie) on the ISS. ( Image credit: Mattel) Programs Learning resources Plan a field trip Educator professional development Education monthly theme Now, in the same week that Barbie is launching onto the silver screen in a new movie starring Margot Robbie as the title character, the flown dolls are having a premiere of their own. (The timing of the exhibit's debut was not tied to the film's release.)

At first glance, they appear to be like all of the other Barbie "Space Discovery" dolls found on toy store shelves — and that very well may be the point. The new additions differ from their previous counterparts in a few ways, beyond having spent time in space. Narrator: Once upon a time, in a distant galaxy, the stars would twinkle and twirl in the sky. Keeping the galaxy in bright harmony with their light. But an ancient prophecy told of a time when the Harmony would be broken. The stars and planets would slow their dance and disappear, leaving a galaxy of darkness. Yet, there was hope, as the prophecy also foretold of one who could restore harmony to the stars. One with the heart of a leader. The out-of-this-world set makes a great gift for kids 3 to 7 years old, especially those who love space, science and shooting for the stars! The first two Barbie dolls to fly in space, part of Mattel's "Space Discovery" line, are seen on display the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, after spending several months aboard the International Space Station in 2022. (Smithsonian)Makes a great gift for ages 3 years old and up, especially those shooting for the stars, space and discovery! Barbie® Space Discovery™ Space Station Playset with Barbie® Space Explorer Doll, Workstation, Puppy, 20 Accessory Pieces, 3 to 7 Years Old Narrator: Hmm, not him, or him. But try telling a king that. Even though the king had tried and failed many times over, he was certain he was the one who would return the stars to their shimmering glory. He just needed a little help. So he recruited a team with special skills to join a mission to save the stars.

As it turns out, the two Barbie dolls that recently went on display at the Smithsonian are not the first to have flown into space, contrary to how they are described in the exhibit.They don't have the helmets, they just are wearing the suits," said Weitekamp. "My understanding is that the shoes are adhered to their feet and, in fact, their hair has been gelled down with a little bit of glue to keep it from not just being a 'flyaway,' as in having a bad hair day, but literally flying away in the microgravity environment. Since then, the doll has remained at Denison's home, which may be why Mattel, NASA, the Smithsonian and just about everyone else forgot about Barbie's actual first spaceflight. Not that Denison has any hard feelings about the subject. Later, the astronauts inscribed and autographed one of the photos for Denison, writing in jest that Barbie was still needed for their next simulator run (Barbie and Denison left NASA within months of the mission ending.) The National Air and Space Museum on Tuesday (July 18) debuted on display the first-ever Barbie dolls to actually fly into space. The two fashion figures spent several months on board the International Space Station (ISS) in 2022 as part of "Mission DreamStar," a joint outreach project by Mattel and the ISS U.S. National Laboratory. The dolls were then donated by the toy company to the Smithsonian. Make those playdates and parties sparkle with our wide selection of toys. From classics like Lego to crafty Play Doh you’ll find whatever you’re after in our playful and exciting range.

This box from 1994 Astronaut Barbie is in the Museum’s collection, along with the corresponding doll.

Mattel did not know about Barbie being aboard STS-38 at the time, but learned of the doll's mission a couple of years later, when the company highlighted the flight in a newsletter for its employees. "Another impressive coup for a Barbie doll," the 1992 issue of Mattel Matters read, "the only question now is, what's left?"