By: Theodore Tong

Barbie, the famous doll known for her many dream careers, is about to take London by storm with a brand-new exhibition. This special event celebrates Barbie’s 65th birthday and features a very special doll that’s out of this world – literally.

In a first-time display at London’s Design Museum, visitors will get to see the Barbie doll that flew all the way to space and back. This unique Barbie isn’t just any astronaut – she’s based on Samantha Cristoforetti, a real-life European Space Agency astronaut who made history as Europe’s first female commander of the International Space Station (ISS).

Samantha Cristoforetti spent six months orbiting Earth in 2022, and now her space adventure is commemorated in plastic form thanks to Mattel, the company that makes Barbie dolls. The Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie launched in 2021 during World Space Week to inspire girls to dream big about careers in space exploration.

The exhibition will feature not only this special astronaut Barbie but also other iconic moments from Barbie’s history in space. One of the highlights is a silver spacesuit worn by Barbie back in 1965, marking her first portrayal as an astronaut. Another standout is a metallic pink spacesuit from 1985, inspired by astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

The exhibition will showcase Barbie through the ages, from her first appearance in 1959 in a classic black-and-white bathing suit to modern-day Barbies with long hair and stylish outfits. There’s even a special Barbie dressed as a surfer girl from 1971 and another transforming from work attire to evening gown in 1985.

The Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie isn’t just about looking cool – it’s about showing girls that they can reach for the stars, just like real-life astronauts. Samantha herself hopes that seeing her Barbie doll will inspire kids to think about space as a future career or a thrilling adventure.