Chapter 1: Returning to the Moon with LEGO

As we embark on a journey back to the Moon, we do so one brick at a time by constructing the iconic Artemis Space Launch System. Before diving into the review of this remarkable Space-themed LEGO set from the past decade, let's establish two undeniable truths: the Earth is not flat, and humanity has indeed walked on the Moon. While other topics, like whether eggless omelettes still count or if Morgan Freeman is God, can remain up for discussion, these two facts stand firm. The Artemis Space Launch System is as impressive on store shelves as the Moon is distant, and if you can spare 260 bucks, this LEGO set is yours to take home. The Moon, however, remains a bit harder to reach. 😄

In case you haven't heard, we're gearing up for another Moon mission! The reason? In the grand scheme of the universe, it's as accessible as my favorite shawarma spot down the street. We've only ventured there once, and there's the small matter of finding and honoring Laika, the brave Russian dog whose journey aboard Sputnik 2 ended in April 1958. NASA has even honored her by naming a soil target on Mars after her during their Mars Exploration Rover mission. The ultimate goal of our return to the Moon is to pave the way for human missions to Mars—how exciting is that?

The Artemis missions aim to elevate deep space exploration, setting a precedent never before achieved. With four missions planned, each will focus on unique objectives while building upon the lessons learned from prior explorations. Artemis I wrapped up in December 2022, setting the stage for human exploration on the Moon and future unmanned missions to Mars, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of NASA's Apollo 17 Moon landing.

Artemis II is slated for September 2025, marking a historic mission with the inclusion of the first woman and first person of color to travel to the Moon. Four astronauts will orbit the Moon to assess NASA's foundational capabilities for human deep space exploration, employing the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the first time with a crew.

Artemis III, targeted for 2026, intends to be the first human mission to the Lunar South Pole, a site recently explored by India's successful unmanned mission. Following this, Artemis IV, planned for 2028, focuses on constructing the first-ever Lunar Space Station, enabling a future where humans can live and work on the Moon, a concept previously confined to science fiction.

Two additional missions, Artemis 5 and 6, are scheduled for 2030 and 2031, respectively, serving as extensions of the fourth mission.

In a remarkable twist, LEGO and NASA have collaborated to create "Space Bricks." Unlike typical dust, space dust is a valuable resource for building materials on the Moon. As LEGO describes, they utilized meteorite dust, approximately 4.5 billion years old, combined with polylactide and regolith simulant to 3D-print bricks that function just like LEGO bricks, complete with the iconic clutch power. If you live near a LEGO store, you might even find examples of these bricks on display.

This collaboration is no surprise; the realm of space presents thrilling opportunities for technological innovation, and LEGO has embraced this by launching several other sets. Set #10341 is a stellar addition to their Space theme, and as soon as it became available, I eagerly brought it home! 😁 What space enthusiast could resist rockets? Plus, this set features a "functional" launch system!

Chapter 2: The Build Experience

The set comprises 3,601 pieces and a 367-page instruction manual, making it quite sizable, but surprisingly, it offers great value for $260. Within the package, you'll find 27 bags of bricks—many of which are grey, a point I'll revisit shortly.

The 27 bags correspond to three primary build segments, making it an excellent choice for a spontaneous group activity:

• Bags 1 to 10 — the launch pad.
• Bags 11 to 21 — the launch tower.
• Bags 22 to 27 — the rocket.

Building the rocket is the quickest segment, encompassing just six bags of bricks. The launch pad and tower, however, require considerably more time, with the launch tower being particularly intricate and lengthy, which I found to be the most tedious part of the entire building process. Overall, I spent around seven hours completing this set.

The launch pad—specifically Launch Pad 39B—is relatively straightforward to assemble. It's a 30x30 cm rectangle, so ensure you have enough space to work. Much of this section relies on stacking bricks, with a few SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques employed for added stability and robustness using larger bricks and plates. Progress was surprisingly swift at first, with the only details being some large white piping.

The walls of the launch pad are built sideways, creating a unique "corrugated" pattern that cannot be achieved through horizontal stacking. The walls are attached using large 2x2 SNOT pieces, although this technique is only applied to two of the four walls. The other two walls feature a transparent design, allowing builders to glimpse some of the inner workings, such as piping and staircases, cleverly constructed using linear gears for microscale steps.

Towards the end of this section, I also attached the eight Vehicle Support Posts and two Tail Service Masts, which include a small LEGO Easter egg—a nod to LEGO Octane petrol stations with green-red-white 2x1 rounded plates. The LEGO representation of NASA's Launch Pad 39B is impressively sturdy and resembles its real-life counterpart.

The launch tower presents a mixed experience. Before building, it's wise to take a break, especially if you're feeling fatigued, as it demands both patience and focus—more so than usual for a LEGO set. For those familiar with building Star Wars sets, excessive grey can be a common challenge. This set features a tall grey tower, which is undeniably accurate but can become monotonous.

While some might suggest using lattice wall pieces for a more efficient build, I believe it would have compromised the tower's professional appearance. Despite the repetitiveness, constructing the tower is ultimately rewarding, resulting in a majestic structure equipped with numerous functional elements similar to the actual tower.

Building the mechanisms for the umbilical system wasn't overly complicated, though it can be a bit fiddly. If you're not fond of Technic pieces, this aspect might not be your favorite, but it enhances playability.

In the end, the entire structure is solid and robust, anchored by a strong brick-built SNOT core that extends from the launch pad to the top of the tower. This design ensures stability and securely holds the SLS in place.

Chapter 3: Reflections on the Build

While the rocket itself, or as NASA refers to it, the SLS, is a smaller component of the overall build, it boasts a clever design that makes for an enjoyable construction experience. LEGO has meticulously crafted the rocket to be scientifically accurate, as much as possible with LEGO pieces. The instruction manual even includes a dedicated page highlighting eight significant sections of the vehicle.

Once completed, the SLS stands approximately 63 cm tall and fits securely on the launch pad, although it’s essential to display it in a low-traffic area to avoid accidental knocks.

Overall, this LEGO set offers good value and a fun building experience. With its engaging features, it might tempt builders of all ages to simulate liftoffs when no one is watching.

Imagination is the ultimate form of magic, and as Arthur C. Clarke said, "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Space exploration perfectly embodies this sentiment.

With enough creativity, the children and teens who build this LEGO set may very well become the next generation of astronauts and rocket scientists, bringing the vision of "For All Mankind" to life.

Attila Vago — A software engineer striving to improve the world, one line of code at a time. A lifelong nerd, writer, web accessibility advocate, LEGO aficionado, and vinyl record collector. Enjoys craft beer! Follow my journey for more insights on LEGO, tech, coding, and accessibility!