Promotional Graphic, Cabbage Patch Kids Doll “Christopher Xavier” Goes to Space on the U.S. Space Shuttle 

In 1985, Cabbage Patch Kid “Christopher Xavier” was introduced into the Young Astronaut Program, a United States initiative created to inspire children's interest in space in the 1980s. On October 30th, 1985, this doll was sent to space aboard a U.S. Space Shuttle as a passenger. Prior to launch, Christopher Xavier underwent a variety of common tests, such as gravity endurance testing and visor stability. Following the mission, the space traveling doll was presented to then President Ronald Reagan as a gift. This mission went hand-in-hand with the peak of Cabbage Patch Kid popularity, leading to the release of the “Young Astronauts” doll line, which of course, Christopher Xavier was a part of. 

Artist Xavier Roberts, founder of Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc., is regarded as the designer of this specific graphic because he was the primary designer and oversight for Cabbage Patch Kids promotional materials. However, Roger Schlaifer was head of commercial branding and worldwide licensing for the brand, so the origin of this graphic is debatable. 

This graphic, alongside five others, was printed on the back of the spaceship shaped boxes that each “Young Astronaut” doll was sold in in the United States. In Canada, the “Young Astronauts” dolls came in rectangular boxes with a similar, but not identical, graphic printed across the entire backside.

This graphic depicts doll Christopher Xavier floating in space wearing a space suit, with a space shuttle mid-flight in the distance. At the bottom of the image there is text that reads, “CABBAGE PATCH KIDS YOUNG ASTRONAUT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS!”