March 21, 2025

— Get ready, Barbie fans! Mattel is launching a new Barbie Miss Astronaut doll to commemorate 60 years since the first Barbie donned an astronaut suit, but the toy company may have overlooked a key moment in space exploration history.

Originally released in 1965 as a fashion accessory, the new doll features hair styled with "bold red lips" reminiscent of the era, along with bendable legs meant to replicate that iconic lunar step. The 2025 edition includes a replica silver spacesuit, white helmet, gloves, brown moon boots, and a tiny American flag – all inspired by NASA’s Mercury 7 astronauts.

While Mattel's packaging for this anniversary doll has a charming retro look, with a pastel-colored illustration of a 1950s-style rocket taking flight, the company’s claims have raised eyebrows. The box boasts, "One tiny step for Barbie, one giant leap for dollkind!" But hold on a second!

The claim suggests Barbie ventured into space before humans had the chance to orbit Earth. This statement is misleading. The Miss Astronaut outfit was unveiled two years after Valentina Tereshkova made history as the first woman in space back in 1963, and after Yuri Gagarin broke the mold as the first human in space in 1961.

Interestingly, the Mattel Creations website has similar wording but makes an important correction: “Light years ahead of her time, Barbie brought her pioneering spirit to space exploration in 1965, well before men had landed on the moon.”

In actuality, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to walk on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. The question remains – did Mattel accidentally misrepresent this historic timeline, and will they amend the text on the packaging? As of now, the company has not provided a comment.

This isn’t the first time Mattel has revived the Miss Astronaut concept. A similar doll was introduced in 2010 as part of the "My Favorite Career" series. Over the past 60 years, Mattel has released various space-themed outfits for Barbie, including a dazzling pink outfit with a sparkly twist in 1985 and a special Apollo 11-inspired suit in 1994 marking the anniversary of humanity's first moon landing.

In 2022, the Barbie brand took things a step further by sending two Barbie dolls of modern design to the International Space Station for "Mission DreamStar," aimed at encouraging girls to explore careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

These flown dolls are now part of the Smithsonian’s collection and exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum, serving as a nod to the enduring impact Barbie has had in promoting aspirations beyond Earth.

Moreover, the Barbie brand has honored real astronauts by creating dolls inspired by figures such as Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and other notable female astronauts like Anna Kikina and Samantha Cristoforetti from the European Space Agency.

With potential collectors eyes now on the misleading historical representation on the new Barbie Miss Astronaut 60th Anniversary Doll, we’ll have to wait and see if this error adds to the doll’s desirability or if it becomes a talking point in toy history!

Stay tuned – Barbie’s legacy in space exploration continues to evolve, capturing imaginations and inspiring the next generation of dreamers and doers!