Designed by Carlyle Nuera, the Ellen Ochoa Barbie celebrates the former NASA astronaut and the first Hispanic woman to travel to space. Mattel has previously released several dolls in this theme, including Miss Astronaut, Sally Ride, and dolls modeled after real female astronauts to honor their remarkable achievements, such as cosmonaut Anna Kikina, Katia Echazarreta, and Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.

Dr. Ochoa was selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1990 and flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993. She served as the director of the Johnson Space Center from 2013 to 2018 and has received numerous accolades, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and several honorary doctorates.

Ochoa joins a list of women honored in the Barbie Inspiring Women series, including singers Celia Cruz and Ella Fitzgerald, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, tennis champions Venus Williams and Billie Jean King, and other athletes such as Sue Bird. In fashion, the collection is represented by Anna Sui. Dolls in other categories include Wilma Mankiller, Bessie Coleman, Madam C.J Walker,  Dr. Jane Goodall,  Ida B Wells,  Maya Angelou, Isabel Allende, Maria Tallchief, Anna May Wong, Florence Nightingale, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Helen Keller, and Frida Kahlo.