Five things you need to know about LEGO 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery

LEGO 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery has taken off, bringing an all-new space exploration set to the official online LEGO store, but there’s plenty you need to know before you start building. 

April is here and with it comes a massive new NASA model inspired by a real-life mission. The Space Shuttle Discovery may have retired in 2011, but the LEGO version’s intergalactic adventures are only just getting started.  

The LEGO designers have clearly put a lot of thought into 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery with attention to detail that’s out of this world, so we’ve compiled a few things you need to know about the set. 

5 – The Hubble Space Telescope fits inside

Like any good dish at a five-star restaurant, 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery includes something extra on the side, with a recreation of the Hubble Space Telescope dating the set to April 1990, the month of the mission that launched the telescope. However, if you’re a little tight on storage then the body of the Hubble Space Telescope fits nicely inside the main shuttle build, thanks to some new LEGO door elements. 

4 – The landing gear can be deployed

As impressive as this new model may be, it’s still a LEGO set at heart and includes an exciting play feature for any space-loving fan. With a simple flip of a panel at the back of the shuttle, the landing gear can be deployed ready for a return to Earth. This feature is also an accurate showcase of how the body flap protects the main engines during re-entry, making for a factual function. 

3 – An extra stand is included for display

Sure, you probably already know about the two included display stands for both the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope, but did you know there’s a third in the set? In the image above you might spot the black sub-assembly holding up the telescope in a pose recreating the launch of the equipment. The lack of zero-gravity meant that the LEGO designers needed something extra to keep the model’s position when on display, so came up with the elegant solution. 

2 – It’s the second model of the Space Shuttle Discovery

The LEGO Group have approached the influential mission of launching the Hubble Space Telescope in a very similar set. 7840 Space Shuttle Discovery-STS-31 was at a different scale to this model, but there are a few similarities between them. Both have features and functions throughout and include details calling back to the real-life shuttle. So when you buy 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery, remember the roots of the LEGO Group and NASA’s collaboration.

1 – It has a record number of elements in an uncommon colour

Like a star shining in the night sky, the official LEGO model of the Hubble Space Telescope is coated entirely in drum lacquered silver bricks, a rare colour that gives off a metallic shine like few other hues. The 108 elements included in 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery mean that it has the most pieces in the colour of any set to date, just in case you needed another reason to buy the model.

10283 Space Shuttle Discovery is available now and you can support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO through one of our affiliate links.