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Lego designers have once again impressed with their latest creation. The new Technic set features an intricate model of the Apollo 17 lunar rover, which served as the vehicle for astronauts to traverse the greatest distance during humanity’s final moonwalk.
Dubbed the NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – LRV, this Technic set includes 1,913 pieces and is priced at $219.99. It comes with a displayable model (complete with informational placards) to which all three equipment sets can be easily attached or detached. These sets consist of a battery pack, a communications unit, and the Apollo 17-specialized Traverse Gravimeter Experiment (TGE), which was utilized to analyze the moon’s gravity and geological structure.
The Lego LRV is equipped with a spring-loaded suspension system that allows its four wheels to pivot using the same T-handle as used by the astronauts. Moreover, akin to the original rover, this Lego version can be separated and folded into a compact shape for easier transportation.
This set also includes some fun surprises. A miniature version of Big Muley (or Lunar Sample 61016) can be found among the pieces. Named after Bill Muehlberger, who led the geology team for Apollo 16, Big Muley was a 26-pound lunar rock sample roughly the size of a football, representing the largest and heaviest extraterrestrial rock ever brought back to Earth by Apollo astronauts. While the Lego rendition pays homage to this remarkable sample, it is understandably more symbolic than realistic, given the difference in shape between a rock and a Lego brick.
Space.com highlights that the launch of this Lego set aligns with the anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission. Interestingly, the LRV model name references “Apollo” in general, rather than pinpointing a specific mission, despite its roots in Apollo 17.
The site, dedicated to space exploration, further details the specific components unique to Apollo 17, many of which are not explicitly labeled in the set. During discussions with Lego, it was revealed that this NASA-themed model involved extensive research and a commitment to accuracy.
“We actually met with an Apollo archivist when we were developing the model to check some facts, and he and [Lego lead designer] Olav [Krøigaard] just sat there like a couple of life-long friends, just sharing information about the rover,” stated Dan Meehan, senior design manager at Lego. “The lunar rover has the most accurate detail I think I have ever seen in a Lego set. It was a labor of love.” The impressive realism of the model is remarkable, particularly when considering how mere bricks and plastic parts can be transformed into a precise replica of the battery-operated lunar rover.
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