Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle flight on April 12th, 1981, LEGO is launching an aptly themed building set. The LEGO NASA Discovery Space Shuttle represents a collaborative effort between NASA and LEGO to design a detailed version of the original shuttle that took flight much to the amazement of the world 40 years ago. LEGO did its due diligence when designing this 2,354-piece-build, so much so that their design efforts were deemed true-to-life by Dr. Kathy Sullivan, a former NASA astronaut who was aboard the NASA STS-31 mission. The LEGO shuttle model measures over 8.5 inches high, 21 inches long, and 13.5 inches wide, making it the perfect size to display.
The LEGO NASA Discovery Space Shuttle set differs from most other building sets in that it has been designed for adults. It has many intricate details like the functional landing gears, payload bay doors, and even the famous Hubble Space Telescope. This specific mission is noteworthy for many reasons, but perhaps the most important was the fact that it launched the Hubble Space Telescope, which has enabled scientists around the world to study the universe at a greater capacity than ever before. Astronaut Sullivan sums it up by sharing her thoughts on the anniversary set, “I was thrilled to see the space shuttle in LEGO form —This LEGO model is a great way for LEGO builders and space fans alike to get excited about space travel and learn more about the famous mission in a fun and engaging way.” The LEGO NASA Discovery Space Shuttle will be available for purchase on April 1st, 2021.
If you liked this, check out LEGO Builders The Starry Night.