Lego Announces Launch of ‘Women of NASA’ Figures

Image above: The Women of NASA featured in the Lego set are (left to right): computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, mathematician Katherine Johnson, astronaut Sally Ride, astronaut Mae Jemison and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman. by Maia Weinstock

LEGO has announced a new “Women of NASA” figurines line featuring female astronauts and scientists, including Katherine Johnson, whose story was shared in the Oscar-nominated film “Hidden Figures.”

The set highlights the contributions of five women who have played critical roles throughout the history of the U.S. space program.

As a mathematician and a space scientist, Johnson is best known for calculating and verifying trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo programs — including the Apollo 11 mission that first landed humans on the moon. Johnson, who is now 98 years old, appeared on stage at the Oscars and was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. The set highlights the contributions of five women who have played critical roles throughout the history of the U.S. space program.

The other women of NASA figurines will include:

Margaret Hamilton, computer scientist: While working at MIT under contract with NASA in the 1960s, Hamilton developed the on-board flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon. She is known for popularizing the modern concept of software.

Sally Ride, astronaut, physicist, and educator: A physicist by training, Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983. After retiring as a NASA astronaut, she founded an educational company focusing on encouraging children — especially girls — to pursue the sciences.

Nancy Grace Roman, astronomer: One of the first female executives at NASA, Roman is known to many as the “Mother of Hubble” for her role in planning the Hubble Space Telescope. She also developed NASA’s astronomy research program.

Mae Jemison, astronaut, physician, and entrepreneur: Trained as a medical doctor, Jemison became the first African-American woman in space in 1992. After retiring from NASA, Jemison established a company that develops new technologies and encourages students in the sciences.

The set will also include a microscale Hubble Space Telescope, mini space shuttle, a famous photo of the reams of code that helped land astronauts on the moon in 1969, and instruments used to calculate and verify trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo missions.

The idea was introduced by Maia Weinstock, deputy editor of MIT News at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, through a proposal several months ago as part of Lego’s Ideas contest.

In her proposal Weinstock stated: “Women have played critical roles throughout the history of the US space program. Yet in many cases, their contributions are unknown or under-appreciated — especially as women have historically struggled to gain acceptance in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

After receiving over 10,000 votes, Weinstock’s project was chosen out of 12 projects that reached 10,000 supporters between May and September 2016.

“This project is near to my heart because it combines several things about which I’m quite passionate: space exploration, the history of women in STEM, and LEGO,” Weinstock told DIVERGE. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for the set, who spread the word on social media, and of course to LEGO for making this a reality.”

“I never imagined that I’d be, in a sense, a real LEGO designer, so this is a dream come true! In the end, I hope that children playing with the set will be inspired by the characters, want to learn more about them, and maybe even want to be them someday,” she added. ” It would be particularly gratifying to know that, 25 or 30 years from now, the first woman to walk on Mars played with and was inspired by these toys.”

Lego is still finalizing the final product design, pricing and availably for the Women of NASA set, and will be available in late 2017 or early 2018, according to the company.

“Maia Weinstock’s Women of NASA project was a way for her to celebrate accomplished women in the STEM professions,” Lego explained in a statement. “In particular those who’ve made a big impact through their work at NASA.”

“We’re really excited to be able to introduce Maia’s Women of NASA set for its inspirational value as well as build and play experience,” the company added.

Weinstock has also created two other Lego sets: Legal Justice League, a set featuring the women of the U.S. Supreme Court; and Scitweeps, a collection of scientist and engineer minifigures.