Microscale Tales of the Space Age in LEGO

Humanity didn’t make it to space all at once. Like a ladder to the stars, our journey to the moon and beyond took many small steps. Each necessary part of the adventure, the good and bad, helped our species step out into the cosmos. Celebrating this era of discovery, builder Jan Woznica brings us a series of builds that are truly works of art. Each model evokes elements of exploration underlining our adventures in our solar neighborhood. Clever parts usage and pleasing color gradients give each of these a satisfying appeal worthy of displaying. Let’s take a closer look while you debate which would look best in your office or home.

First in the series was a build that Jan called “Ursa Major” due to the iconic constellation he built in the sky above the tiny micro-rocket. This clever use of bars to make the stars of the “Big Dipper” adds an element of scale and distance to the display. Other subtle details immerse us in the story, such as the bulbous plume or the asymmetrical jet trailing behind the rocket as it rises into the sky. The sunset motif, achieved with purple, magenta, and coral also sets the tone for the other skylines. Next to these books, you can tell they’re decent-sized displays that would look great on your bookshelf.

“The Loneliness of the Long Distance Probe” uses simple methods to tell its story. Far from home, this rover, built with a Minifigure skate for wheels, leaves a trail behind it. Various slopes and studs represent the rocky surface of this terrestrial planet. Presumably celebrating the history of Mars rovers, this skyline uses a similar pattern as “Ursa Major” while ditching the constellation for two crescent moons. It’s amazing how well Jan captured an alien atmosphere with such limited pieces.

Recently revealed, the final (maybe?) model in this series highlights the more nerve-wracking parts of astrology. Satellites below a cool, blue, morning sky point starward as a large body breaks up in the atmosphere. Wands represent chunks of rock and ice breaking away from the huge comet. Meteor? Whatever it is, it’s burning up and probably going to cause some problems for people far away from this icy scene. Yet again, the color palette may have changed but the pattern breaking up the sky matches its predecessors.

This series does well to capture the feeling and inspiration of space travel. With their satisfying symmetry, these builds would suit any office or display. I personally find it awesome how Jan was able to capture distance by using the surface colors at the base of his skylines. Though he says he’s stopping at these three, I’ll be hoping for more in the future.

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