Let’s start with the technical details. The rocket itself is called the Space Launch System (SLS) and is a NASA Artemis 2 lunar mission Artemis 3 Mission
The price is $259.99 / £219.99 Lego Space Shuttle Discovery Lego Saturn V
Previous LEGO NASA sets have only featured the spaceship itself, but with this set LEGO has stepped it up a notch by including an entire mobile launch tower. As a result, the rocket itself is much smaller than the gigantic Saturn V set from a few years ago. However, this sacrifice in size is well worth it, because this set is so beautifully made.
This is an easy way to join our upper echelons. Best Lego space sets
Important Information:
(Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
price: $259.99/£219.99
Model Number: 10341
Quantity: 3,601
size: 28″ x 11″ x 12″ (70cm x 27cm x 30)
Recommended Age: 18 years or older
LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System: Building
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Everything included in the LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Instructions and partially assembled part of the launch platform. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The launch pad under construction. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The completed launch pad and early stages of the launch tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System build is divided into three sections: the base platform, the launch tower, and the main rocket body. The platform that the rocket sits on might not seem like the most interesting build, but it’s actually surprisingly fun and probably the most diverse section of the set.
There are lots of clever and varied techniques used to keep things fresh, and two sides of the platform have exposed details to make them look more interesting. The instructions explain that these details don’t exist on the actual SLS launch pad, and there are plenty of other fun facts sprinkled throughout the booklet. We really appreciated these treasure troves of little tidbits covering the history of the SLS itself and LEGO space sets. What we didn’t like was Bag 10, which required you to assemble the railing using 86 identical little pieces. Still, it was necessary, and it sure looks good.
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The completed launch tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The skybridge that astronauts use to board the rocket. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
From there, you move on to the launch tower, which makes up the bulk of the build. There are some cool techniques and clever use of parts here, but the tower is pretty uniform all the way to the top, so it’s inevitable that this section will get a little repetitive. There are a few rocket connection points that stick out and add variety, but it’s still a little fiddly.
The tower is also not symmetrical, so if you’re like us, it will look weird and you’ll find yourself constantly checking to make sure you got everything right. Don’t worry, it’s meant to look like this and it’s not LEGO’s fault that NASA built a clunky tower, but it was still stressful to build.
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The core of the SLS under construction. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The core of the SLS under construction. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The completed SLS rocket, ready to be loaded onto the platform. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Once the tower is complete, you’ll notice that you only have five bags left to assemble the actual rocket. It’s a fun process and, naturally, pretty quick to put together. The two rocket boosters are assembled on a central column by skewering the parts together like a LEGO kebab. The central rocket is a bit more complicated and it’s a lot of fun to see it all come together. The NASA orange, black and white color scheme is awesome.
There are tons of stickers to put on the rocket and boosters, and some are very difficult to line up without a reference point nearby (see the little black and white checkered pattern). About half the insignia and other designs are printed pieces, so it makes me wonder why they didn’t just make them all printed pieces? Perhaps the two boosters are facing the wrong way, so twice as many are needed? Still, the stickers are disappointing.
LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System: Design
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The completed Lego NASA Artemis Space Launch System. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
One of the “see-through” sections of the launch platform. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Complex piping stretches all the way to the launch tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
A cute little staircase next to the launch pad. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Information plate and Orion model included with the LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Stairs seen inside the launch pad. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Stairs leading up to the main deck of the launch pad. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The elevator at the top of the launch tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The LEGO Orion spaceship included in the set. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
But it’s all worth the effort, because once assembled, the LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System is a thing of beauty. We’ve built and owned most of the LEGO space sets released over the past few years, and this set is hands down the best-looking display of them all, doing a great job of capturing the scale of the 98-metre-tall, 2,875-ton rocket.
Although I complained about the stickers, they certainly add a cool visual flair to the rocket and boosters, and there are plenty of other physical touches to explore – I particularly like the intricate pipes and cables that run through the tower, and there are quite a few moving parts to enjoy, including the bridge that astronauts cross to enter the Orion module, and the various clamps and refueling arms that run through the tower.
The exposed side displays some of the rocket platform’s inner workings, but our favorite part is the adorable little staircase made from raised LEGO pieces attached to hinges. And it’s hard not to love the little elevator doors at the top of the tower.
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The top of the SLS and launch tower, showing the bridge the crew will use to enter the spacecraft. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
A view from behind the launch tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
One of the solid rocket boosters on the side of the SLS, emblazoned with “NASA” lettering. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
One of the solid rocket boosters on the side of the SLS, emblazoned with “NASA” lettering. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
One of the attachment points between the SLS rocket and the tower. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Orion spacecraft and adapter section. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
The Orion spacecraft and adapter section, with the NASA and ESA logos next to the American flag. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Rear view of the SLS, showing the core stage and booster rockets. (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Unfortunately the SLS set doesn’t come with any minifigures, but that’s to be expected as they’re not even close to the proper scale. Lego International Space Station largely Good size — but it would have needed a new coat of paint Prototype Suit Axiom Space was announced last year
Oh, and the display plates are stickers, which is… well, okay, except that a printed one would look a lot nicer and you wouldn’t have to struggle to get the stickers lined up perfectly.
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LEGO SLS (scaled by Ian) (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
LEGO SLS (scale LEGO Benatar) (Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
Despite these minor gripes, we love the LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System set and would highly recommend it to anyone with the space to display it. No orbital bushwhacking required. This is a big kit at 28 inches (71 cm) tall. It’s not the tallest LEGO set on the market, but it still won’t fit on many shelves or display cabinets. Before you order, make sure you have a suitable landing place for this awesome monster. That’s it.
Should you buy the Lego NASA Artemis Space Launch System?
(Image courtesy of Ian Stokes)
It’s hard to think of a better-looking space-themed LEGO set, and it’s the perfect way to take home a piece of NASA’s next stage of spaceflight. Some sections, such as the tower section, can get a little monotonous, but overall there’s still plenty of variety, fun techniques and clever use of unexpected pieces to make it a fun build.
If you have a suitable display area, I 100% recommend purchasing the LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System – it’s a beautiful model and includes a launch assembly, which really sets it apart from other NASA sets.
Other LEGO Space Sets to Consider Is Artemis not your thing? Still not over the retirement of the Space Shuttle program? Don’t worry. Lego NASA Space Shuttle Discovery $199.99 / £169.99
If you don’t have space for a big Lego set (LOL), there are some interesting art pieces as well. Lego Art Milky Way Galaxy $199 / £169.99
and, LEGO Ideas Space Age Stories $49.99 / £44.99
