LEGO Technic Space Shuttle 8480

Product Information

This is undoubtedly a complex build, but it’s also a calming and gratifying challenge. Plus, imagine how you’ll feel when it’s finished! When designing the model, Milan Madge said, Besides being the largest set I've ever built at the time, there were a couple of other things in this set that were a first for me. FOS There are 3 parts that play a key role here: 6542a Technic Gear 16 Tooth with Clutch, 6538b Technic Axle Connector Ridged and 6539 Technic Driving Ring 2L. The clutch gears have a round hole instead of an axle hole, so they can spin freely over an axle. When the axle is spinning, the clutch gears don't. The driving ring can slide over the axle connector, 'catching/clutching' one of the clutch gears, making it spin along with the axle, activating any drivetrain that is connected to the clutch gear. This way, you can turn drivetrains on and off, depending on which function you want to use.

LEGO Creator Expert 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery review LEGO Creator Expert 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery review

At first, I was afraid the set wouldn't hold up to today's standards. How much of the epic-ness of the set is just my nostalgia talking? Especially after reviewing the 8485-1 Control Centre II, which is a good set, but in functions a bit dated, I was preparing for some let-down. Made up of 2,354 individual pieces, the new LEGO® NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set is almost as impressive as the original it was inspired by (admittedly on a much smaller scale). But don’t let that intimidate you – as challenging as it is, it is also a rewardingly relaxing LEGO set to build.This looks so sexy, I feel I need to add a sensor bar. This is the biggest cluster of gears in the build. There will be another layer of gears, and on top of that comes the gear-box. Lego filmed an exclusive interview with Sullivan as she explained her experience in space along with showing a completed Lego model.

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery - LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery - LEGO

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One highlight of 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is the amount of information crammed into the manual. At almost every stage there are fascinating tidbits focusing on different aspects of the Shuttle’s construction, history and flight details, and before the build even commences there’s a beautiful double spread filled with photography and facts.

LEGO 8480 Space Shuttle | Brickset

We’ve been to known to criticise the LEGO Group for how some of its products are priced, and what you actually get for that price (did someone say VIDIYO?), but to give credit where its due, the value here speaks for itself. The arm is build, and the controls of the motors are installed. I'm always a bit anxious if I gave the wire enough room to attach the satellite later on. It's tight, but it's long enough. I was thrilled to see the space shuttle in Lego form … Hubble is definitely the highlight of my career,” Sullivan said in the news release. It's mostly very enjoyable to assemble, despite those app quibbles. It's only really the end sequence that becomes frustrating, but it's worth it when you're so close to the finish line. If you're a big space fan, you'll particularly appreciate this. However, anyone who fancies something different from the usual Lego way of doing things will like what's here. Other sets to considerThe set, which will be released on April 1, was created in partnership with NASA to mark the 40th anniversary since the first space shuttle flight on April 12, 1981, that started a new era in space exploration. This set was one which features a fiber optic system. The motors power the bay doors, the robot arm and the satellite. The arm can turn and bend and the satellite solar panels can open and close. The fibre optic system is used to light up the engines. The shuttle also has hand-operated landing gear and flaps. The alternate model is a submarine. The technology used in this set was and is currently advanced for LEGO. However, LEGO stopped marketing and stopped using Light-Fibre Technology and only uses gears and motors in their modern TECHNIC sets. The building experience is a little hit and miss, though. The build for Hubble is simply joyous from start to finish, while the Space Shuttle starts off strong, but towards the end gets a little repetitive. It’s a minor negative as the finished model looks excellent, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you are on the fence about this set, or are deciding between this and another in a similar price range.