From astronaut to Barbie doll, girls encouraged to think big

Barbie hopes to encourage more girls to consider careers in the space industry with the help of new role model - Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Cristoforetti, who was the first Italian woman in space, said she hopes the collaboration will help young girls and boys to dream about their future without limits.

The 42-year-old has been presented with a unique doll in her likeness as Barbie, made by manufacturer Mattel partnered with the European Space Agency. The partnership is part of Barbie's ongoing Dream Gap Project, which the brand say is aimed at challenging young girls' beliefs about their possible futures. As part of the campaign there are also videos showing girls visiting Cristoforetti at work and asking her about her job.