— In 2023, Kellie Gerardi became the 674th person — and 90th woman — to fly into space.

Now, three years later, she has joined an even more exclusive group: she is the sixth female astronaut to inspire a Barbie doll. In commemoration of International Women's Day, Mattel has debuted its first-ever Barbie Dream Team honoring Gerardi and other women "who led the way in their industries" with one-of-a-kind dolls made in their likenesses.

"After helping open the door for scientists to fly and operate their own research on commercial spacecraft and walking through it myself as a payload specialist and astronaut, it's now my mission to hold that door open wider for the next generation of girls to follow," said Gerardi in a statement issued by Mattel. 'When you're brave enough to leave your comfort zone and dream big, not even the sky is the limit."

Launching on Virgin Galactic's fifth commercial spaceflight, Galactic 05, Kelly flew above the U.S.-recognized altitude separating Earth from space on board the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane "Unity." For the several minutes she was weightless, she operated biomedical and thermodynamic fluids experiments for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), where she is also the director for human spaceflight and a test flight director.

Gerardi is scheduled to continue her research on a second Virgin Galactic flight after they resume commercial spaceflights following a stand down to develop a more advanced spacecraft.

In addition to her career titles, Gerardi, 37, describes herself as mother, an author and "a daily source of inspiration to millions of followers on social media." She and her husband have an 8-year-old daughter and they are expecting their second.

Gerardi was chosen by Mattel for its 2026 Barbie Dream Team because she helped break down barriers that previously precluded women from participating.

"I think about my daughter. I think about her little sister that's on the way. And I think about the possibilities that are going to be open to them because of all the women who have come before," said Gerardi in an interview conducted by Mattel.

"You know, I think about my own childhood and I think about my mom in particular. When my mom was growing up, women in the United States weren't yet eligible to fly to space and one single generation later, she was at my spaceflight. She got to watch her daughter reach the stars. She got to watch her granddaughter take it for granted. And I think it's such a powerful reminder about how much can change in a single generation."

Gerardi's one-of-a-kind Barbie doll — Mattel produced it only for display rather than for sale — recreates her look and her outfit, including details like the design of her mission patches sewn to her purple jacket.

"The entire thing is surreal, being able to see myself reflected in this Barbie doll so perfectly," she said. "If I have to pick one detail that would be my favorite, it would probably be this star necklace. I think it's such a fun touch."

Mattel previously styled Barbie dolls after real astronauts as part of their annual Inspiring Women, Signature and Role Model lines. Those other Barbie dolls have included Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space; European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti; Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina and Katya "Kat" Echazarreta, who became the first Mexican-born woman to fly into space on a 2022 Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital launch.

"Barbie has always championed the belief that girls can be anything. From astronauts to CEOs, Barbie has broken barriers and redefined what's possible — igniting imagination and inspiring generations of girls to dream without limits," said Nathan Baynard, vice president and head of Barbie, Mattel. "This International Women's Day, we're proud to build on that legacy with the launch of our Barbie Dream Team, celebrating an extraordinary group of global trailblazers who are paving the way for the next generation."

"By honoring their achievements, we hope to inspire girls everywhere to pursue their passions boldly and realize their limitless potential," said Baynard.

Among Gerardi's fellow Dream Team members are Chloe Kelly, a professional footballer from the United Kingdom; Helene Fischer, a German pop star; Stephanie Gilmore, a professional surfer from Australia; and tennis legend Serena Williams, who has 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

In addition to revealing the one-of-a-kind dolls, Mattel is also continuing the celebration with Barbie Dream Days retail moments and the debut of Barbie Dream Fest, a multi-day fan experience running March 27-29 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, featuring a "Beyond the Stars" exhibit celebrating Astronaut Barbie's impact on science, technology and exploration, and a presentation by Emily Calandrelli, who became the 100th woman to fly into space in 2024.