When it comes to the best Lego space sets, you're spoilt for choice. But what if you prefer your Lego space sets to be more grounded in reality? We've rounded up the best NASA-approved and NASA-adjacent Lego sets, sets that are (mostly) accurate to the current state of space travel.
From Artemis 2 to the Mars Perseverance Rover, you're sure to find a set you love. Some are geared towards play while others, such as this stunning Lego Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System are essentially display only.
Below, we delve into each set's specifics, including how fun (or otherwise) they are to build and more. Or if fantasy's more your thing, we also have the best Lego Star Wars sets and Lego Marvel sets.
Current NASA Lego sets
Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System
In our review of the Lego Icons Artemis Space Launch System, we remarked that "Lego has knocked it out of the park and into orbit with this fantastic recreation of the Artemis Space Launch System," and that still stands. This is the most realistic Lego rocket currently available and a fantastic buy, despite its $269.99 price.
We did find minor elements of its build a little repetitive, but that's unavoidable given the nature of the Artemis and its launch pad. It's an absolutely massive set, shy of just 28-inches, so you'll need a significant amount of space to display it.
But it's well worth clearing off a table just to show this off. It's an absolutely stunning set, packed with detail, and, on the whole, a delight to build. When you've got the Artemis on display, after an afternoon or so of work, you'll be so glad you put the effort in.
Lego Icons Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
Whether you're a fan of Boeing's iconic 747 jet, the late Space Shuttle programme or both, this set is an absolute treat. You'll need plenty of space to accommodate its 63 cm wingspan, but this is an entertaining build.
Packed with detail, it looks excellent on display, and you've got the flexibility to mix things up. You can separate the shuttle from the 747, put the landing gear down and, in the case of the shuttle, stow its gear away in the cargo bay.
The latter does mean it doesn't have the same accessories Lego's now-retired Space Shuttle Discovery set has, but it nails everything else about the shuttle and the plane that ferried around the world on many occasions. Our only gripe is that it has a few too many stickers, but it's worth persisting just to see this NASA-branded pairing, perched on your table.
Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance
Ever wanted to go to Mars? This set is the next best thing, a realistic Lego recreation of the NASA Mars Rover Perseverance, through the medium of Lego Technic. Not only does it mirror the real-life Mars Rover's appearance, but it's also packed with play-friendly features.
That's not to say you should subject this to repeated and violent play, but in our Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance review, we called it "a wonderful piece of Lego engineering that should please Lego space fans of all ages."
It offers amazing attention to detail, with plenty of features and moving parts, including actual working suspension, allowing the rover to ride over rough surfaces. It also won't cost you $2.7 billion, either, priced at a much fairer $99.99. It's a blast to build, looks suitably striking on display and has just enough play-potential to boot.
Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket
Is the Lego Icons Artemis' $200+ asking price too rich for your blood? Or maybe you're looking for something with a little more interactivity. That's where the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket comes in.
This sub-$60 set is still striking to look at, but it has the addition of being educational with it. Using the (slightly loose) crank, you can make it blast off the launching pad, losing its booster rockets as it goes.
Throw in four astronaut nanofigures, and you've got a set that's far more play-friendly than its pricier sibling, and the flames spewing from its engines add an extra-eyecatching touch to this play and display friendly model. Despite its 9+ age rating, there are challenging elements, but the results are well worth it.
Lego Icons Hubble Space Telescope
Until now, if you wanted an official Lego Hubble Space Telescope model you had to seek out the now-retired Lego Space Shuttle Discovery set, which contains a smaller Hubble model. but this Lego Icons Hubble Space Telescope gives this iconic scope its due.
Over 38cm long and made up of 1252 pieces, you get to see the Hubble's internals as you put this set together. There's an instrument bay including gyroscopes and primary and secondary mirrors, which you can also peer into by removing the exterior panels.
It's not designed for play, but you can amuse yourself positioning its solar antennae, opening the Hubble's aperture and so on. Even if it's not zoomable, there's definite STEM value here. The manual is also packed with facts about the Hubble.
The one letdown is that the solar panels are a single sheet of plastic, not solid individual pieces as in the real Hubble. But if you've got a taste for space science, this is a great set to pick up.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Astronaut
What's better than getting a new Lego set? Getting three Lego sets in 1, which is where this Lego Creator Space Astronaut set comes in. It's not strictly a NASA set but it's main mode is a close approximation of an actual astronaut, out on a spacewalk.
It's cool to look at and poseable with it, down to its arms and fingers. You can also transform the astronaut into a sleek space jet and a spacesuit-wearing dog, though the instructions are slightly too simplistic.
The astronaut's stand means you can have it 'floating' in mid-air, and the red and blue stripes, with a little gray to boot, add extra life to their costume. In our review of the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Astronaut, we called it "An iconic Lego space set that we're absolutely proud to have on our shelves," and you won't regret snapping this up either.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle
Like the previous Lego Creator 3-in-1 set, this doesn't bear the NASA branding, but it's unmistakably a Space Shuttle, complete with its own satellite to launch into orbit. And at $9.99, this is a great buy if you're looking for a cheap gift for a space enthusiast.
Shuttle mode aside, you can transform this set into a space fighter or an astronaut, both of which are cool bonuses. But it's the Space Shuttle, with its glowing orange engines, that would be our first choice for play, if we were so inclined.
At just under 150 pieces, this can be easily assembled by little fingers, rated as it is for builders aged 6 or over. Despite its size, you can also open up its cargo bay, adding another dimension to play.
Retired but still available Lego sets (grab them while you can)
Lego retires sets after a period of time, meaning they stop manufacturing them and no new stock enters the market. The following retired sets are still available and are worth picking up, though some may be pricier than usual due to to their OOP status.
Lego Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle
Based on the actual Apollo Lunar Rover, this set may have been retired but, if you're fast, you can snap it up at Amazon without paying an exhorbitant price. And, while it's not the most beginner-friendly set, it's a treat for anyone who wants to revisit days on the moon.
And, while we wouldn't recommend young builders try putting it together solo, there's some play potential here. The set, which is a display-friendly size, comes with plastic moon rock, buildable communications unit, heating and cooling elements. Plus, it boasts working steering and suspension.
If you're adult Lego fan looking for a Space-themed project, you can't go wrong with this Apollo Lunar Rover, which is as accurate as you could hope for given its size. Just hurry, because we'd expect its price to skyrocket once stocks get scarcer.
Lego Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander
Available for a reasonable price, considering it's a retired set, this Lego Apollo 11 lander is an excellent way to mark man's return to the moon. It's an accurate replica of the vehicle that touched down on the lunar surface, followed shortly by Neil Armstrong's exit and famous line.
In our review of the Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander, we were impressed by its display value, as well as the two relatively scarce Lego astronauts it came with. Unfortunately, we did find that it felt a little flimsy.
However, if you can live with that, and you share our love for all things lunar, it's a great piece to have sitting on your shelf, a reminder of one of mankind's grandest achievements. Just remember, as a retired set, it's only going to get more expensive, so grab this Lego Apollo 11 Lunar Lander set while you can.
Lego International Space Station review
The International Space Station only has a few years before it's deorbited and crashes to Earth. That's all the more reason to celebrate its 20 years of space-based research with this shelf-dominating Lego Ideas International Space Station set.
This now-retired set depicts the ISS in all its glory and, for scale, includes small models of the Space Shuttle, satellites and three micro-sale astronauts. It's impossible to miss thanks to its huge solar panels which, though a little repetitive to build, make this model over half-a-meter wide.
It's impressively accurate, nailing the appearance of the ISS. In our review of the Lego Ideas International Space Station we called it "An excellent display piece that space fans should love."
Unfortunately, as a retired set it's selling significantly above RRP. But if you're a fan of the International Space Station, it's a worthy addition to your space-themed Lego collection.
Lego Icons NASA Space Shuttle Discovery
The Space Shuttle programme is behind us, but that's no reason to forget about it. It changed how NASA operated in space for over 30 years and was instrumental in building the ISS. This Lego NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is the best Lego model of the Space Shuttle we've seen even though, like the Shuttle itself, it's now retired.
It does have a few too many stickers for our taste, but that's a small price to pay for this seriously impressive replica. Aside from looking fantastic, it has real play potential, with several moving parts including its famous robotic arm.
On top of that, it's effectively two models, the Space Shuttle and the Hubble Space Telescope, which can be stored inside its cargo bay, or displayed separately. In our review of the Lego Icons Space Shuttle Discovery set we said it was "A beautiful kit that’s not only fun to build, but zenful too," and that still stands.
As a retired set you may have to pay over the RRP to get your hands on it, but you won't be disappointing when you've got this Lego slice of history sitting on your shelf.
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing or falling further down the Lego rabbit hole, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic. As well as Space.com, you can find his work at GameSpew (where he’s the weekend editor).
Update 9/2/26: We've updated the intro, removed the retired Modular Galactic Spaceship set and added the Hubble Space Telescope set.