‘First Doll in Space’ Returns to Earth from Outer Space

This weekend, the Stargazer Lottie doll makes her journey back to earth, after celebrating over 250 days in space. Italian European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti holds the record for longest single space flight by a woman (199 days 16 hours) and now Stargazer Lottie returns following her own mission to champion women in space and STEM. Having inspired children all over the world to dream big and reach for the stars, Stargazer leaves the International Space Station (ISS) on the Space X Dragon cargo ship on Friday the 26th of August.

an image of a red headed doll in space wearing a space suitSix-year-old Abigail designed the Stargazer Lottie doll, the doll which travelled to the ISS with British European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Tim Peake on the Principia space mission. The ‘Stargazer’ Lottie doll is a collaboration with the ESA, and was created by Irish toy company, Arklu.

Abigail also stars in the short video, by female filmmaker Elena Rossini, about how a young girl designed the first doll to go into space, the mini-documentary now has over half a million views across social media.

 

Stargazer Lottie visited the International Space Station along with British ESA astronaut Tim Peake in December 2015, having travelled ahead on board Orbital ATK's “S.S. Deke Slayton II” Cygnus cargo spacecraft. Tim Peake completed his 186-day stint at the International Space Station on the 18th of June 2016, and Stargazer Lottie is provisionally due to return on the SpaceX’s uncrewed Dragon cargo ship. SpaceX’s Dragon is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth. This will broadcast live on NASA TV.

Abigail’s idea for an astronomy themed doll to help other kids learn about space, was the inspiration behind Stargazer Lottie. During her time on board the ISS, Stargazer Lottie fulfilled her mission to get kids interested in space. Arklu have shared online astronomy resources, #LottieInSpace interactive competitions and content during the mission and received letters, photos and videos from inspired children all over the world. During the campaign, Tim Peake sent word from Lottie in space to his 1m following, with a picture from the Cupola showing the Stargazer Lottie Doll, in the box gazing into outer-space, following this Commander Chris Hadfield tweeted a message of encouragement to Abigail and Lottie dolls to his 1.57 million followers.

About Lottie:
Lottie™ is an alternative ‘pro girl’ doll for children aged 3- 8. Lottie is a positive take on childhood – she doesn’t wear make-up, jewelry or high heels and she can stand on her own two feet (...always a useful life skill for all girls, big and small!)

Unlike other fashion dolls, Lottie’s body is also properly ‘childlike.’ Developed alongside leading British academics, Lottie’s body is based upon the proportions of a nine year old girl. Lottie’s many adventures, from ballet, getting muddy outdoors and imaginative play to stargazing, fossil-hunting, horse-riding and robot building, have been inspired by real children.

Lottie is all about letting children be themselves, not growing up too quickly, and presenting a healthy view on body image.

Learn more at: www.lottie.com,

 

About the European Space Agency (ESA):
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 20 are Member States of the EU.

ESA has established formal cooperation with seven other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes.

ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.

Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int

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