Tag Archives: Space

From giant space carriers to starfighters, moon bases to moon buggies, whether you love LEGO models inspired by real-world space programs or science-fiction, you’re in the right place.

First Ever Danish Astronaut takes LEGO to Space [News]

Space news typically makes me giddy. When LEGO is in the mix, it’s all the better. On September 2 the Russian Soyuz rocket launched a new crew to the International Space Station for Expedition 44. This new crew will join astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, who are spending one full year on-board the ISS as we study the effects of long-term space travel in preparation for future deep-space missions.

Image courtesy of the European Space Agency and CollectSpace

Expedition 44 includes veteran cosmonaut Sergei Volkov (Russia), Aidyn Aimbetov (National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan), and Andreas Mogensen (European Space Agency). Why are we telling you all of this? Andres Mogensen is Denmark’s first ever astronaut and has brought LEGO with him aboard the ISS to mark the occasion. Along with the crew and supplies for their mission, 20 minifigures flew aboard.

Image courtesy of the European Space Agency and CollectSpace

According to Mogensen, “ESA and LEGO Education have partnered together for this mission, and among other things, we are running a competition for Danish schoolchildren to tell a story about my mission using Legos.” Mogensen recently completed a fantastic AMA on Reddit, if you wish to read more.

For more information on the mission and Expedition 44, check out Collect Space, the European Space Agency, NASA, and follow Andreas Mogensen on Twitter.

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Vaygr Battlecruiser from Homeworld by Tim Schwalfenberg

I’m not sure what’s going on this year, but we’re certainly seeing a lot of very large LEGO SHIPs in August (SHIPgust? Augtember?). Tim Schwalfenberg takes his inspiration from the venerable Homeworld PC game, with a super-detailed battlecruiser that’s easily one of my favorite SHIPs in several years. And at 140 studs long, Tim didn’t spare any length to achieve the shape and color blocking needed to achieve the distinctive look of the source material.

I’m always a fan of the multi-view graphic:

Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus

Sometimes there isn’t a need to reinvent the wheel, just change about half of it and give it a fresh paint job. That’s exactly what Zach (zachmoe) did with his amazing micro-scaled ship:

This ship might look slightly familiar, it’s based on Rob (dasnewten)’s Prometheus which we’ve featured before. Zach made it his own by upgrading to a quad engine arrangement, and adding the delightful little dock on the side. And if you’re wanting to try to build your own version, Rob has graciously provided some breakdown so that even us non Titans of Space can build one.

3LUG Presents: A Tale of Two Cities

As regular readers of the blog may know, Nick Kappatos and I build a joint display every year for BrickFair. This year, we wanted to contrast between organic and mechanical, as well as high-tech sci-fi and low-tech creations. We also just really wanted to build a bustling bazaar. It was also high time to work some motion into the display, even it it was simple. While the motion isn’t terribly complex, I have to say that I think Nick’s rotating ring has a perfectly sci-fi feel to it that I love (and can’t take credit for). I also tried my wobbly hand at a fly-through video… with an iphone.

Adding a little sleek to Classic Space

Chris Perron modeled this swept-back Classic Space-inspired planetary truck on his microscale version from earlier this year, and it looks wicked. The long, low windscreen on the back is a fantastic design element, and gives this rover a very futuristic feel. The brick-built wheels are a great touch, as well. Chris says it features working steering and suspension.

Surveyor of a lost world

Shannon Sproule takes us to the rubble left behind on a crumbling planet, as we are safely ensconced within an all-terrain surveying vehicle, capable of plowing over even the largest piece of scrap. I love how the arms on the front give the vehicle a submarine aesthetic, perfect for the caustic environs of a ruined world.

The Atomic Age in a new age: Construction with Nick Trotta

Builder extraordinaire Nick Trotta is famous for building highly complex spacecraft and polishing them to perfection, and that reputation is well-deserved as evidenced by the Atomium. Not only has Nick built a stunning model, but he’s rebuilt and redesigned it enough times that he can build it completely from scratch in one sitting, as if he were following (his own) instructions. This works out great for us, though, as we get to see exactly how everything fits together, thanks to a nifty time-lapse video of Nick building the model start to finish.

And if one isn’t enough, his previous model, which is also lovely but has a more industrial workhorse feel, also features a complete construction video so we can learn a few pointers.

Hurtling through the abyss of space

This Juggernaut by Tim Clark has an immense, weighty industrial aesthetic, and I love it. This looks like the sort of spacecraft capable of carrying its crew to the very brink of human survivability, and coming back intact.

Classic Space Tri-Fighters

I’m a sucker for starfighter spaceships, and this beauty by Mitch (Gamma Raay) is simply amazing:

You might recognize the Mitch’s name, but probably not associated with Space ships. Mitch usually builds bionicle, which we’ve featured multiple times. This time Mitch has integrated Bionicle pieces seamlessly into this wonderful build. I love how everything just comes together at very unusual angles for a LEGO build, and his attention to shaping and using pieces seemingly designed just for the purpose makes this a thoroughly well throughout and executed build.

And like all good starfighters, it looks great an any angle, including the top:

Count down to SHIPtember

It’s almost time for one of the craziest build theme months: SHIPtember.

Starting September 1st, builders have exactly one month to build a S.H.I.P or Seriously Huge Investment in Parts (or Time for some of the people with larger collections). Each SHIP build must be 100 studs or more (in any orientation). Though for people with school or other ‘real life matters’ there’s PRE-SHIPtember which allows you to start earlier, but you’re bound to the same one month rule.

Last year there were over 100 SHIPs that were built:

So start clearing off your social calenders, clean up your build areas, make those bricklink orders (or don’t if you’re confident) and get ready for some SHIPs!

… Though in previous years, there’s quite the anxious bunch that want to get started and have to wait weeks before September rolls around … feel free to take a stab at the Brick Separator challenge:

Rules are simple, just build something with those pesky brick separators! I know that’ll keep me busy till SHIPtember….

EXTERMINATE: This LEGO Dalek is coming for you!

EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! This LEGO version of Doctor Who’s infamous villains, the Daleks, looks creepily accurate. I almost thought creator Matt De Lanoy’s version was made of cardboard, plastic, and a toilet plunger, like the show’s originals. Don’t forget that official Doctor Who LEGO is now a thing you can buy, with the Doctor making an appearance in LEGO Dimensions!

Spacefair Fleet Week & Rancorbait Galactic Celebration

It’s Seafair Fleet Week here in Seattle, and the annual “Parade of Ships” went past my downtown office window this afternoon. Inspired by all those big boats on Elliott Bay, I went looking for a nice set of cool LEGO ships, and quickly found these beauties by Rancorbait.

First up, the “Nova” Medium Assault Cruiser incorporates great brick-built striping and a sporty red fin.

The “Eclipse” Heavy Assault Cruiser is very obviously part of the same fleet, with a consistent design aesthetic, though the Eclipse is a bit larger and has significantly more greebles. The bridge overhanging the white section is an excellent touch.

Finally, though it’s a different scale and certainly isn’t part of the same fleet, I can’t help but love this big red “Warthog” gunship. There are just so many non-right angles all over this thing!