Outer space is one of LEGO's classic themes. And it's easy to see why. Few subjects do more to excite a person's wonder and imagination. Space exploration has many upsides. There's the abstract objective – of discovering our place in the universe – but there's also the more practical byproducts of that objective. Many of our modern innovations on Earth, such as widespread Internet access and medical imaging, are thanks to the research and dedication of our space program.
And then there's the aspirational reasons. The idea of space exploration – of delving into the unknown in search of answers, has inspired more than one child to dream of something bigger than themselves, and to take an interest in the science and engineering that propel that search.
Here, for the explorer in all of us, are the best LEGO space-themed sets that you can buy in 2024.
TL;DR: These Are My Favorite Space-Themed LEGO Sets
Don't want to scroll through the blurbs? Here are our picks for the best sets, all in one side-swipable place.
LEGO Space Shuttle
- Set: #31134
- Age Range: 6+
- Piece Count: 144
- Dimensions: 2.5 inches high, 5 inches long and 6 inches wide
- Price: $9.99
This space shuttle is the right price. In addition to its advertised build, you can also rebuild it into an astronaut or a futuristic spaceship. This is the perfect set for a young child or an entry-level adult, especially if you don't want to commit financially to this hobby.
LEGO Space Roller Coaster
- Set: #31142
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 874
- Dimensions: 10.5 inches high, 10.5 inches wide, 22 inches deep
- Price: $109.99
LEGO is really, really good at designing carnival rides, and this small, space-inspired coaster, complete with rocket ship theming, is no exception. It's a 3-in-1 build, which means you can also build this set as a drop tower or a swing carousel.
LEGO Space Astronaut
- Set: #31152
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 647
- Dimensions: 10.5 inches tall
- Price: $54.99
Another 3-in-1 build, this astronaut can also be rebuilt as an astronaut dog or a viper jet. The primary build, however, is the clear standout. It mounts onto a black stand and also comes with a detachable jet pack.
LEGO Tales of the Space Age
- Set: #21340
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 688
- Dimensions: 5.5 inches high, 3.5 inches wide, 1 inch deep each
- Price: $49.99
Perfect for decorating your walls, Tales of the Space Age is a set of four 3D space-themed postcards, inspired by '80s minimalist aesthetics. The four scenes are as follows: an observatory and shooting stars; a moon base and a lunar eclipse; a space shuttle blasting off; and a black hole.
LEGO NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle - LRV
- Set: #42182
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 1913
- Dimensions: 5.5 inches high, 15 inches long, 10 inches wide
- Price: $219.99
This is a Technic-centric LEGO set. Featuring steering, suspension, and research equipment (including comms technology, a drill, and a shovel), this scaled vehicle is a model of the Lunar Vehicle from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery
- Set: #10283
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 2354
- Dimensions: 8.5 inches high, 21 inches long, 13.5 inches wide
- Price: $199.99
In service for 27 years, Space Shuttle Discovery holds the record for largest number of missions, traveling over 149 million miles in low-earth orbit. The build comes in at nearly 2,500 pieces and also includes an attractive model of the Hubble Telescope.
LEGO Nasa Mars Rover Perseverance
- Set: #42158
- Age Range: 10+
- Piece Count: 1132
- Dimensions: 9 inches high, 12.5 inches long, 9 inches wide
- Price: $99.99
Launched in 2020, the Perseverance Rover's mission is to search for microbial life on the planet Mars. The corresponding LEGO set comes with a model of the Ingenuity helicopter and an AR app, which allows a builder to learn more about the real-life spacecraft and the environmental conditions of Mars.
LEGO Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit
- Set: #42179
- Age Range: 10+
- Piece Count: 526
- Dimensions: 9 inches high, 12.5 inches long, 7 inches wide
- Price: $74.99
A finely tuned, geared machine, Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit allows you to track the simultaneous orbits of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth by turning a crank. You can also tell the time of year and the lunar phases, based on the Earth and moon's positions.
LEGO NASA Artemis Space Launch System
- Set: #10341
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 3601
- Dimensions: 27.5 inches high, 10.5 inches wide, 12 inches deep
- Price: $259.99
The ongoing Artemis program is a multiyear mission to establish a base on the Moon and eventually facilitate missions to Mars. The LEGO model is a massive, multistage rocket that's getting ready to launch from Earth. It's got all the scaffolding and necessary support on its side, including a crew bridge and numerous launch tower umbilicals. It may be one of the most expensive LEGO sets on this list, but the size, scope, and detail make it worth it.
LEGO The Milky Way Galaxy
- Set: #31212
- Age Range: 18+
- Piece Count: 3091
- Dimensions: 15.5 inches high, 25.5 inches wide, 2 inches deep
- Price: $199.99
Available exclusively at the LEGO Store, the Milky Way Galaxy is a 3D portrait of our vast home. Up close, it's an inventive, playful use of odd pieces, including flower petals and ice cream scoops. From a distance, it's a colorful, cumulative effect.
How Many LEGO Space Sets are There?
According to LEGO's official site, there are 31 LEGO Space sets available for purchase as of December 2024. There's a bit of everything, from replicas of classic spacecraft to the more modern spaceships of today.
Why LEGO Space?
These LEGO Space sets are an excellent entry point into STEM interests, either as a fun hobby or, in more exceptional cases, as a life's calling. For some people, space is also just plain cool. There's a reason the LEGO Space theme has persisted for so long, and it will no doubt continue to do so.
For more, be sure to check out our picks for the best LEGO sets for adults, as well as the best Star Wars LEGO sets. And if you still have some shopping to do, take a look at our picks for the best LEGO sets to give as gifts.
Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.
