‘Hey Duggee’ Rocket Toy Takes Its Maiden Voyage into Space

BBC Studios has announced it has sent the “Hey Duggee” Transforming Duggee Rocket Toy beyond the Earth’s atmosphere into space. 

The toy earned its Space Badge as it travelled attached to a stratospheric balloon, powered by hydrogen gas, which is a sustainable alternative to helium.

The 2-in-1 Transforming Duggee Rocket Toy, featuring astronaut, Duggee, who can magically transform into a space rocket with loads of features, left Earth from a dedicated launch site in Sheffield, U.K. The Duggee Rocket traveled for an hour and a half, ascending through the Earth’s atmosphere and reaching space by 19KM. 

“As ‘Hey Duggee’ puts fun and a have-a-go attitude at the heart of learning, we couldn’t resist this opportunity to send the transforming space rocket toy into orbit and ignite young imaginations on the wonder of space,” says Harriet Newby-Hill, vice president, marketing, kids and family, BBC Studios. 

Imagery and video captured show the Duggee Rocket floating around 120,000 feet above the Earth in 4K definition. Following the voyage, the Duggee Rocket parachuted back to Earth smoothly. Both the toy and the stratospheric balloon were safely recovered close to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, U.K. 

Footage of the launch, plus further facts on the mission, are presented by astrophysicist and comedian, Dr. Josie Peters, and are available to view on all of Hey Duggee’s social channels as part of Hey Duggee Space Week (running until Dec. 5). 

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To send the Duggee Rocket into orbit sustainably, BBC Studios partnered with Sent Into Space, a provider of commercial near space launches.  

“We’re passionate about education at Sent Into Space and my little ones are big fans of ‘Hey Duggee,’ so putting Duggee into space and teaching viewers about our planet is a very exciting project for us,” says Dr. Chris Rose, head, projects and business development, Sent Into Space. 

The Transforming Duggee Space Rocket Toy is made by Golden Bear, BBC Studios’ master toy partner for “Hey Duggee.”