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. The sheer accuracy of the model makes recreating this magnificent mission a great way to take off into the world of space travel from the comfort of your own home. The set comes with functional landing gear and a set of payload bay doors that, thanks to gravity, open and close with a joyously satisfying sound. There's always Engino's Eiffel Tower too which is a little smaller than the Space Shuttle but still a complex architectural piece. Lego is launching a new set that is out of this world: the space shuttle Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope.

LEGO Set 8480-1 Space Shuttle (1996 Technic) | Rebrickable

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. We have combined the instructions for the alternative models with those of the main model. Scroll past the regular instructions to view the alternative model. 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. These two sub-assemblies connect at a slight angle, which is achieved in a rather unique way. Hinge plates are used at one end, but in the middle a 2×3 plate with hole connects to a 1×2 jumper plate. This allows for the angle of the 2×3 plate with hole to be adjusted, facilitating its attachment to the main assembly at an offset angle.Imagining how the crew felt flying into the unknown was the most joyful part of the build for set designer Milan Madge. Specifically with the tiny blue seats that carried 5 human beings away from their home planet on a mission that allowed us to discover parts of the universe never seen before. Home > Toys > Lego > Lego Technic > Lego set 8480 Technic Space shuttle Manual Lego set 8480 Technic Space shuttle 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. Engino also offers the London Eye in this range with a motorized engine. It's pricier but it looks suitably captivating for fans of London tourist locations. Sullivan flew on three space shuttle missions and was the first American woman to complete a spacewalk as part of STS 41-G with the space shuttle Challenger on October 11, 1984.

LEGO Inventory for 10283-1 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery LEGO Inventory for 10283-1 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery

Another option is letting both clutch gears activate the same drivetrain. Using different sized gears behind the clutch gear, you can create a gearbox, driving the drivetrain in different speeds, while the source stays the same speed. This system is utilized in the 8880-1 Technic Super Car. You can also activate the same drivetrain, but in a different direction. I don't know when this was used first, but I have seen it in the 42042-1 Crawler Crane and 42082-1 Rough Terrain Crane in recent sets. There are probably more. 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. 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,

Challenge your way to a calmer self 

So, I must have built this set at least 50 times. And this is the first time I spot a mistake in the instructions. The hinges shown in the picture are not in the parts-section of this step (23), but in the next. Many modern Lego instructions include a part list at the end of the booklet. In the case of multiple booklets the list might be found in the middle of the PDF. I've added another gif to the Build section, which shows the FOS system working in the Space Shuttle. Gear Shifters The build actually begins with the construction of the Hubble Telescope, arguably one of the most important scientific instruments ever created by man, and it is a stunning rendition. Perhaps it’s the building techniques utilised, or maybe it’s the subject matter itself, but everything about the model feels like it has a very precise and measured design. From the offset Technic pins used for the telescope’s angled stand to the intricate design created by the yellow 1×1 tap pieces, every stage creates the feeling of building a scientific instrument. The set contains over 2,300 pieces and will take you the best part of six to seven hours (if not more) to finish, which already makes it a good return. If the LEGO Group had sold both models separately, they would have been fantastic sets in their own right, so to have both in one makes the deal seem otherworldly. (Okay, maybe not that good, but you get the point.) — Pictures —

Space Shuttle : Set 8480-1 | BrickLink

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. We're nearing the end, with some last cosmetic things. The tail gets added. I'm not a fan of using the technic plates on the sides, but the additional strength makes it possible to display the model standing up, leaning on the tail.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 consider 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.

Manual Lego set 8480 Technic Space shuttle - Manuals - Manuall Manual Lego set 8480 Technic Space shuttle - Manuals - Manuall

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. This is far from a unique problem for a build this big, with other models likely to run into similar issues. It is a reminder that you need to plan ahead with where you decide to set up base for the space shuttle as the further you progress, the fiddlier it becomes. On the other hand, it's very sensitive and it moves around too easily. So, if you're trying to view the correct part on a particularly complicated bit, you can lose your way. The final part (H) being the worst offender for this, with it being incredibly difficult to differentiate between colors and what you're trying to achieve. The two biggest contributers to the discolouring of the plastic of Lego toys are long term exposure to sunlight and cigarette smoke. Try to minimise these when storing your Playmobil. If I ever really get into financial problems, and need to sell everything to keep a roof over my head, this one stays. I rather sleep in an alley with this set next to me, than having a house without my space shuttle.In fact, it’s such a wonderful design that had the LEGO Group decided to release this separately, it would no doubt garner huge praise. As it is, this is just a small part of this set, and the fact there is a gigantic Space Shuttle to build next makes for a very exciting prospect. A new star in the LEGO® NASA galaxy Add the new Space Shuttle Discovery to your LEGO® space collection.