The Artemis II crew are returning back to earth after completing their circling around the moon. It’s been more than half a century since Apollo moon landings, but Nasa’s latest lunar flyby now marks the furthest humans have travelled. The four astronauts are due to splash down in the Pacific Ocean in the next 24 hours, following their 10-day stint in space.
The mission’s spacecraft, Orion, broke the record previously held by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, travelling 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from earth – and Lego has celebrated the historic launch with a space set.
The long-awaited mission lays the groundwork for returning people to the lunar surface, which Nasa aims to do by 2028 with Artemis IV. The next stage in human space exploration, Nasa is aiming for a long-term presence at a moon base in the south lunar pole, where it’s been discovered that deposits of ice can provide drinkable water and breathable oxygen.
The four astronauts have been regularly videoing to earth from space, holding press conferences and showing their daily life on board the Orion – in one touching moment, captain Reid Wiseman named a crater on the moon after his late wife Carroll. Space scientists have said they hope that the Artemis missions will inspire a whole new generation of budding astronomers, astrophysicists and astronauts.
Besides the excitement of all the pictures, data and stories the spacecraft is bringing home, if there’s one thing that will get young space fans enthused, it’s Lego. The Danish brick company has launched an exclusive Artemis set to commemorate the historic missions.
The highly detailed model of the Artemis I mission launch system includes a multi-stage rocket with two solid fuel booster, an Orion capsule and a mobile launch tower. Plus, there’s a more affordable Lego technic Nasa Artemis space launch system that educates children on how a rocket seperates at launch in three stages. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Lego NASA Artemis space launch system set
Lego’s Nasa set aims to replicate the first Artemis launch, which was an uncrewed moon-orbiting mission in November 2022. The aim was to scout out the possibility of future human exploration. Lego’s set includes a multistage rocket with two solid fuel booster, an Orion capsule and mobile launch tower.
The replica is designed to mimic the real launch systems, detachable solid fuel booster and separating rocket stages. Designed for budding young astronauts or space obsessed adults, once built, you can display it in your home.
Buy now £219, Lego.com
Lego technic Nasa artemis space launch system
This smaller and more affordable set depicts the moment of the rocket launch. Designed to be educational, it shows the three distinct stages of a rocket launch – from the solid rocket boosters separating from the core stage, to launching into orbit. Complete with four astronaut minifigures, blue flame detail and information panel, it’s a no-brainer for young space obsessives.
Buy now £54.99, Lego.com
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