First doll in space travels to the International Space Station with British ESA astronaut Tim Peake

British European Space Agency astronaut Major Tim Peake
on board the Soyuz en route to the International Space
Centre earlier today (15 Dec) after a successful launch
in  Kazakhastan.

It is not unusual to see a new doll launched around the Christmas season.

But the timing of this particular one by London-based toy company Arkly has been timed and typically “launched” to coincide with the successful blast-off today of British European Space Agency astronaut Major Tim Peake, on board the Soyuz with two other astronauts and docked onto the International Space Centre. 

This is the new Stargazer Lottie doll left designed by a six-year-old Canadian girl Abigail from British Columbia.  

The Stargazer Lottie doll is reportedly traveling to the International Space Station on board Orbital ATK’s “S.S. Deke Slayton II” Cygnus cargo spacecraft with the British astronaut Tim Peake. 

The Special Edition ‘Gold Collection’ ‘Stargazer’ Lottie doll is a collaboration with the European Space Agency, and winner of the space.com ‘Little Scientist’ Space Age Award at the New York Toy Fair 2015.

A short video (by female filmmaker Elena Rossini) can be viewed (click here) to show how Abigail got to design the first doll to go into space. 

Abigail’s idea for an astronomy themed doll to help other kids learn about space was the inspiration behind the Stargazer Lottie doll.   

During her time on board the ISS, Stargazer Lottie will fulfil her mission to get kids interested in space.

Supplemental materials are available to download from the lottie.com website, including biographies of notable women in astronomy, and educational activities created by UNAWE, the global science educational outreach programme. 

Abigail (shown here at left) explains in the film: “Sometimes I look up and think…maybe I could go up there one day…or could I somehow see what’s up there”

“So maybe one day I will go and see many stars, even more than I saw from earth, and I will just say to myself …wow! How lucky am I to be living!”

The Lottie doll line was made available on the market in 2012 by Arklu co-founders Lucie Follett and Ian Harkin, and has won several industry awards on account of its innovative focus on being a doll with a realistic body shape and emphasis on activities that stimulate imaginative play.   Lottie is now on sale in 30 countries.

The Special Edition ‘Gold Collection’ ‘Stargazer’ Lottie doll retails at £19.95 (USD $24.95) 

Lottie doll retails at £16.95 (USD $19.95); accessory sets and outfit sets retail at £7.99 (USD $9.99) 

In the UK; available online at www.lottie.com, Amazon, Debenhams, Ocado and independent toy stores

In the US: available online at www.lottie.com, Amazon, over 1000 independent toy stores.