LEGO NASA Sets 2011

[GRogall]

Lego Space

BILLUND, Denmark, November 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- LEGO® bricks will provide a symbolic link between Earth and space when the Space Shuttle Discovery blasts off from Cape Canaveral for its last scheduled flight. A small LEGO space shuttle model will accompany the crew to mark the start of a partnership between The LEGO Group and NASA.

"Learning is at the very core of the LEGO Group's values," said Jacob Kragh, President of LEGO Education. "The company has invested many years of cooperation and research with educators and child development specialists. The LEGO Group's mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow. Our partnership with NASA will help us in this mission."

Over the next three years both The LEGO Group and NASA will participate in a joint outreach and educational program designed to inspire children to explore science, technology, engineering and math.

"Partnering with The LEGO Group is a perfect fit. We have taken the excitement of NASA's missions and coupled that with kids' love of creating things with the iconic LEGO bricks," said Leland Melvin, NASA's associate administrator for Education. "These projects not only foster creativity but also instill in the young builders a real sense of the engineering and design principles that NASA uses every day. Fun learning activities like these can help inspire kids to become the next generation of explorers."

In February 2011 more than a dozen LEGO activities will be flown to the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts will build LEGO models, complete educational activities, and record the results.

Activities will include the exploration of daily life on the ISS and the effect of microgravity on various simple machines. Videos of the completed activities and space-themed educational materials will be available at http://www.LEGOspace.com.

The LEGO Group has been creating space models since 1973 and NASA has already provided inspiration and educational insight for a new line of LEGO CITY space models to be released in 2011.

LEGO bricks and products have been on several space missions. The latest mission with NASA was in 2004 when two astronaut minifigures hitched a ride on the Spirit and Opportunity Mars Exploration Rovers.

The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 9,000 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2010 The LEGO Group.

SOURCE The LEGO Group

[prateek]

That's awesome! I want this set even more now!

[dr_spock]

Cool stuff.

[Aanchir]

Are we sure it'll be the Adventure? Nothing in that press release confirms this. It could just as easily be a Creator-type shuttle or one of next year's sets, unless you've got a source that confirms otherwise.

But still, awesome, and nice to see our first real official info on next year's Space line. Looking forward to it, and the little mini-site certainly fuels my anticipation!

Edited November 3, 2010 by Aanchir

[Artanis I]

I suppose this clearly explains why there's a new "city space" line & therefore why we don't get real space sets next year. First Star Wars, now NASA. Who else wants to hijack the space theme?

I wonder how well the Lego shuttle holds up in a low gravity situation?

[Randal]

You know how that went down, right?

NASA: What do you mean you're bored up there? Don't we give you plenty to do?

Astronauts: What about in our down time?

NASA: So, what are you saying? You want Movies? X-box? A good book?

Astronauts: We want... Legos.

NASA: Legos?

Astronauts: Legos.

[Nightshroud99]

Thats really Neat!

[XimenaPaulina]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing this clear hi-res pic as always grogall!

[GRogall]

Are we sure it'll be the Adventure? Nothing in that press release confirms this. It could just as easily be a Creator-type shuttle or one of next year's sets, unless you've got a source that confirms otherwise.

But still, awesome, and nice to see our first real official info on next year's Space line. Looking forward to it, and the little mini-site certainly fuels my anticipation!

Well seems like its going to be a different shuttle, sadly

More info:

NASA and LEGO Partnership Inspires Kids to Pursue Science and Engineering

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA announced Tuesday the signing of a Space Act Agreement with The LEGO Group to conduct education and public outreach activities aimed at increasing participation in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

To commemorate the beginning of this partnership, the crew of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission will carry a small LEGO® shuttle when it launches Wednesday, Nov. 3, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The partnership marks the beginning of a three-year agreement that will use the inspiration of NASA's space exploration missions and the appeal of the popular LEGO bricks to spur children's interest in STEM. The theme of the partnership is "Building and Exploring Our Future."

The LEGO Group will release four NASA inspired products in their LEGO CITY line next year. The space-themed products will vary in terms of complexity, engaging audiences from young children to adult LEGO fans. Each product release will contain NASA-inspired education materials.

"Partnering with The LEGO Group is a perfect fit. We have taken the excitement of NASA's missions and coupled that with kids' love of creating things with the iconic LEGO bricks, "said Leland Melvin, NASA's associate administrator for Education. "These projects not only foster creativity but also instill in the young builders a real sense of the engineering and design principles that NASA uses every day. Fun learning activities like these can help inspire kids to become the next generation of explorers."

As part of the Space Act Agreement, NASA will send special LEGO sets to the International Space Station aboard shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission in February 2011. The sets will be assembled by astronauts on-orbit and by children and student groups across the country. The building process and set activities will demonstrate the challenges faced when building things in the microgravity environment of space.

"The LEGO Group's purpose is to inspire children to think creatively, reason systematically and release their potential to shape their own future," said Stephan Turnipseed, president of LEGO Education North America. "The partnership with NASA provides us a unique opportunity to fulfill our purpose while expanding the imaginations of children around the world. A child who plays with LEGO bricks today can become the NASA astronaut or engineer of tomorrow. "

As part of the NASA-The LEGO Group partnership kick-off, a 40-feet by 70-feet activity tent will be set up Wednesday at the shuttle launch viewing site on the NASA Causeway. Children of all ages will be invited to get creative and build their vision of the future with LEGO bricks as they await Discovery's launch.

To see images from the LEGO Build the Future event on the NASA Causeway, visit: http://www.LEGOspace.com.

NASA's Office of Education in Washington seeks partnerships that help the agency promote student interest in STEM studies and careers. For more information about NASA's partnership with LEGO and other education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasa-lego-partnership.html

Edited November 3, 2010 by grogall

[buddy]

It's a great idea to send a Lego Space Shuttle up into space in a real one.

Thanks for posting this news, grogall.

~buddy~

[Big Cam]

Now that is quite interesting. I had no idea NASA cared about LEGO. Sweet.

[prateek]

At least we get new 2011 Space set pics!

I hope you don't mind, but I posted these in the 2011 City set topic

Edited November 3, 2010 by prateek

[prateek]

From grogall

[Mrlegoninja]

Was that some kind of space convention? And if so, was that set available to buy?

[greg3]

If these are the new Spaceport sets they look great!! Definite buys for me!!

[lightningtiger]

Interesting pictures, actually the shuttle doesn't look to bad and do I spy trans-blue 3x2 hinge tile.....oh, nice....a different way of making an ice cream freezer - COOL !

I might get that one, so I can just Sci-Fi it - blasters and other weapons !

Now what will we see next to appear eh ?

Keep on waiting for 2011 !

[Aanchir]

I don't even mind it being the new 2011 shuttle. In fact, looking at the new 2011 shuttle, it's gorgeous and a great way to "represent" LEGO's involvement in this partnership.

That latest press release concerns me, though, because it only mentions four space sets next year. I hope there'll be a second wave.

EDIT: Also:

Edited November 3, 2010 by Aanchir

[Ferdik]

Space sets looks better "IRL" then on the first pics. Me like!

But on the other hand Ive learn everything does. I guess it's in human nature to first be suspicious to something new.

[Rumble Strike]

That is very cool, and a great link-up.

I have watched the Atlantis take off from Cape Canaveral and it is an awesome sight, makes you feel very small.

[prateek]

Was that some kind of space convention? And if so, was that set available to buy?

NASA is gonna launch these sets into space aboard the last space shuttle launch. Read more here

[jonwil]

That space shuttle looks great.

Now I have even more things to suck up my limited funds.

Maybe I can get lucky and buy the interesting parts (like those hinge pieces and the white tail) from BrickLink :P

[Hinckley]

Saw this on Brothers-Brick

NASA issued a press release yesterday stating that they have signed a Space Act agreement with LEGO. The partnership will focus on promoting interest in science, technology, engineering and math. At the launch event, NASA will actually be launching a shuttle built from LEGO bricks. It will be aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, on what is Discovery’s last scheduled mission.

“Partnering with The LEGO Group is a perfect fit. We have taken the excitement of NASA’s missions and coupled that with kids’ love of creating things with the iconic LEGO bricks,” said Leland Melvin, NASA’s associate administrator for Education. “These projects not only foster creativity but also instill in the young builders a real sense of the engineering and design principles that NASA uses every day. Fun learning activities like these can help inspire kids to become the next generation of explorers.”

Also our readers may be excited to hear that 4 NASA sets will be included in LEGO’s City line as a part of this partnership.

NASA Press Release

Interesting quotes from the press release.

The LEGO Group will release four NASA-inspired products in their LEGO CITY line next year. The space-themed products will vary in terms of complexity, engaging audiences from young children to adult LEGO fans. Each product release will contain NASA-inspired education materials.

We obviously know of and have seen these sets, but I wonder what other sets the partnership may bring us...

As part of the Space Act Agreement, NASA will send special LEGO sets to the International Space Station aboard shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission in February 2011. The sets will be assembled by astronauts on-orbit and by children and student groups across the country. The construction process and activities with the sets will demonstrate the challenges faced when building things in the microgravity environment of space.

[Sisco]

Wow! This is great news! I have a deep love for NASA's space programs, and now they're partnered up with Lego? Yes!

[prateek]

This is already posted here.

[Sisco]

It doesn't matter... He's the boss.