NASA’s Artemis 2 launch could be less than a fortnight away, when it’ll carry humans to the moon, the first time in 50 years that astronauts have orbited our sole natural satellite. So what better way to prepare for this grand occasion than with the best Lego NASA sets?
Our experts, who live and breathe Lego, have rounded up a range of Lego NASA sets, from the historic Apollo 11’s lunar rover, right through to a stunning recreation of Artemis I.
Current NASA Lego sets
Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System
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In our review of the Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System, we remarked that “Lego has knocked it out of the park and into orbit with this fantastic recreation of the Artemis Space Launch System,” and that still stands. This is the most realistic Lego rocket currently available and a fantastic buy, despite its $269.99 price.
We did find minor elements of its build a little repetitive, but that’s unavoidable given the nature of the Artemis and its launch pad. It’s an absolutely massive set, shy of just 28-inches, so you’ll need a significant amount of space to display it.
But it’s well worth clearing off a table just to show this off. It’s an absolutely stunning set, packed with detail, and, on the whole, a delight to build. When you’ve got the Artemis on display, after an afternoon or so of work, you’ll be so glad you put the effort in.
Lego Icons Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
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Whether you’re a fan of Boeing’s iconic 747 jet, the late Space Shuttle programme or both, this set is an absolute treat. You’ll need plenty of space to accommodate its 63 cm wingspan, but this is an entertaining build.
Packed with detail, it looks excellent on display, and you’ve got the flexibility to mix things up. You can separate the shuttle from the 747, put the landing gear down and, in the case of the shuttle, stow its gear away in the cargo bay.
The latter does mean it doesn’t have the same accessories Lego’s now-retired Space Shuttle Discovery set has, but it nails everything else about the shuttle and the plane that ferried around the world on many occasions. Our only gripe is that it has a few too many stickers, but it’s worth persisting just to see this NASA-branded pairing, perched on your table.
Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance
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Ever wanted to go to Mars? This set is the next best thing, a realistic Lego recreation of the NASA Mars Rover Perseverance, through the medium of Lego Technic. Not only does it mirror the real-life Mars Rover’s appearance, but it’s also packed with play-friendly features.
That’s not to say you should subject this to repeated and violent play, but in our Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance review, we called it “a wonderful piece of Lego engineering that should please Lego space fans of all ages.”
It offers amazing attention to detail, with plenty of features and moving parts, including actual working suspension, allowing the rover to ride over rough surfaces. It also won’t cost you $2.7 billion, either, priced at a much fairer $99.99. It’s a blast to build, looks suitably striking on display and has just enough play-potential to boot.
Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket
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Is the Lego Icons Artemis’ $200+ asking price too rich for your blood? Or maybe you’re looking for something with a little more interactivity. That’s where the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket comes in.
This sub $60 set is still striking to look at, but it has the addition of being educational with it. Using the (slightly loose) crank, you can make it blast off the launching pad, losing its booster rockets as it goes.
Throw in four astronaut nanofigures, and you’ve got a set that’s far more play-friendly than its pricier sibling, and the flames spewing from its engines add an extra-eyecatching touch to this play and display friendly model. Despite its 9+ age rating, there are challenging elements, but the results are well worth it.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Astronaut
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What’s better than getting a new Lego set? Getting three Lego sets in 1, which is where this Lego Creator Space Astronaut set comes in. It’s not strictly a NASA set but it’s main mode is a close approximation of an actual astronaut, out on a spacewalk.
It’s cool to look at and poseable with it, down to its arms and fingers. You can also transform the astronaut into a sleek space jet and a spacesuit-wearing dog, though the instructions are slightly too simplistic.
The astronaut’s stand means you can have it ‘floating’ in mid-air, and the red and blue stripes, with a little gray to boot, add extra life to their costume. In our review of the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Astronaut, we called it “An iconic Lego space set that we’re absolutely proud to have on our shelves,” and you won’t regret snapping this up either.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle
Like the previous Lego Creator 3-in-1 set, this doesn’t bear the NASA branding, but it’s unmistakably a Space Shuttle, complete with its own satellite to launch into orbit. And at $9.99, this is a great buy if you’re looking for a cheap gift for a space enthusiast.
Shuttle mode aside, you can transform this set into a space fighter or an astronaut, both of which are cool bonuses. But it’s the Space Shuttle, with its glowing orange engines, that would be our first choice for play, if we were so inclined.
At just under 150 pieces, this can be easily assembled by little fingers, rated as it is for builders aged 6 or over. Despite its size, you can also open up its cargo bay, adding another dimension to play.
Retired but still available Lego sets (grab them while you can)
Lego retires sets after a period of time, meaning they stop manufacturing them and no new stock enters the market. The following retired sets are still available and are worth picking up, though some may be pricier than usual due to their scarcity.
Lego Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle
Based on the actual Apollo Lunar Rover, this set may have been retired but, if you’re fast, you can snap it up at Amazon without paying an exhorbitant price. And, while it’s not the most beginner-friendly set, it’s a treat for anyone who wants to revisit days on the moon.
And, while we wouldn’t recommend young builders try putting it together solo, there’s some play potential here. The set, which is a display-friendly size, comes with plastic moon rock, buildable communications unit, heating and cooling elements. Plus, it boasts working steering and suspension.
If you’re adult Lego fan looking for a Space-themed project, you can’t go wrong with this Apollo Lunar Rover, which is as accurate as you could hope for given its size. Just hurry, because we’d expect its price to skyrocket once stocks get scarcer.
Lego Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander
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Available for a reasonable price, considering it’s a retired set, this Lego Apollo 11 lander is an excellent way to mark man’s return to the moon. It’s an accurate replica of the vehicle that touched down on the lunar surface, followed shortly by Neil Armstrong’s exit and famous line.
In our review of the Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander, we were impressed by its display value, as well as the two relatively scarce Lego astronauts it came with. Unfortunately, we did find that it felt a little flimsy.
However, if you can live with that, and you share our love for all things lunar, it’s a great piece to have sitting on your shelf, a reminder of one of mankind’s grandest achievements. Just remember, as a retired set, it’s only going to get more expensive, so grab this Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander set while you can.
