Inside Lego's Artemis 2 range: Which set delivers the best build, detail and value?

We are spoilt for choice; now there are two of them. With the Artemis 2 mission set to launch (hopefully) any day now, there's never been a better time to celebrate the rocket that will usher in NASA's triumphant return to the moon. And what better way to do that than by building your own miniature Lego version of it to display at home?

But as the Star Wars quote in the opening line alluded to, there are now in fact two different Lego Artemis sets: the NASA Artemis Space Launch System, and the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket. We've reviewed both sets, and they're both among the best Lego space sets available right now, but which one should you choose?

While both kits represent the Artemis Space Launch System (SLS), they're very different builds intended for different audiences. Thankfully, figuring out which set is right for you isn't rocket science, as we've run through all the major differences below, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each kit. Let's blast off into the comparison.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Key specs

Lego Artemis Face Off: Design & functionality

Looking at the key specs, the most obvious difference between the two sets is their size. The LEGO Icons Artemis set has over 3600 pieces — six times the piece count of the newer Technic Artemis kit. The result here is a much larger model, as you can see by the side-by-side comparisons.

The LEGO Icons Artemis also comes with the entire launch assembly and launch pad, creating a miniature diorama that's perfect as a display piece for Lego space set fans. The rocket itself is extremely well-detailed, with stickers proudly displaying the NASA and ESA logos, as well as smaller details like the door to the Orion crew vehicle. There are loads of cool details hidden throughout the set, too, with refuelling pipes and a moving bridge that connects the tower to the Orion module.

The LEGO Technic Artemis has its own party piece, though — a working launch mechanism, complete with booster and Orion module separation as the rocket "takes off". It achieves this through an array of gears, levers, and other moving parts that are hidden away in the display stand, along with the support tower that's hidden behind the rocket.

Turning the crank handle on the right-hand side of the set launches the rocket upwards, with the booster rockets splitting off not long after take-off. As the Artemis continues to ascend, the Orion module also detaches, being pulled upwards by a tensioned string pulley hidden away at the back. It's very cool to see the little upward on its own little trailer of blue flame. And when the spectacle is over, you can easily reset it by reversing the crank rotation.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Build

As a larger set, the LEGO Icons Artemis takes a lot longer to build than the Technic version. I was able to crank out the Technic set in one evening, but the Icons set took me the better part of a week.

With the LEGO Icons Artemis set, you'll build the base platform, the launch tower, and the rocket itself, meaning the set offers a surprising amount of build variety. As I noted in my Lego NASA Artemis Space Launch System review, there were loads of clever build techniques employed to keep things fresh. The instruction book also features a bunch of cool facts and history about the SLS — a wonderful touch for a NASA nerd like me.

By contrast, the Technic set is a much breezier affair, but as the name suggests, it's also made primarily from Technic Lego. That means lots of connecting gears and levers, and pushing those dastardly little plugs into holes. It's a little more punishing on the thumbs and fingers, and might not be as enjoyable to classic Lego fans. On the flip side, it's very cool to build a working machine, watching the rocket launch mechanism come together throughout the construction.

Both sets feature a bunch of stickers — the bane of a Lego builder's life — but these are just the price of doing business with modern Lego sets, and I will begrudgingly admit the details they provide are worth the hassle.

Lego Artemis Face Off: Price

The LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Space Launch System costs $259.99/£219.99, while the Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket costs $59.99/£54.99.

If you're looking for a cheaper set, then obviously the Technic kit is the way to go, but the larger Icons set does offer better bang for your buck in terms of Lego pieces per dollar. It's a little over four times as expensive, but you get seven times the number of Lego pieces. The piece count doesn't take piece size into account. I'd say the amount of raw plastic you're getting is an even higher ratio.

On the plus side, both sets are substantially cheaper than the actual Artemis program, which was estimated to have cost NASA a whopping $93 billion by the end of 2025. So whichever set you choose, you're getting an absolute bargain (that's how I'd try to sell it to my partner anyway).

Which Lego Artemis set should you buy?

If money is no object, then I'd say grab them both.

They offer vastly different build experiences, and they're both going to be awesome additions to a Lego NASA or space-themed collection. In the real world, where money is very much an object, it depends on who you are and what you're looking to get out of a Lego Artemis set.

The Icons set is the better display model for sure; the larger scale allows for more detail, and the addition of the launch assembly makes it a real statement piece.

The larger piece count results in a larger and more detailed rocket, too. It's perfect for adult Lego collectors who want to explore and showcase their love for spaceflight and rockets. It's a big old set, though, so make sure you've got the space to display it once it's built.

The Technic set is definitely better for kids and young teenagers — especially if you're trying to spark their interest in space and STEM subjects. Seeing the rocket take off and watching the boosters and Orion module detach is awesome, and a great educational tool to explain how the actual SLS functions to curious youngsters.

At the same time, actually building the mechanism and assembling all the gears and pulleys is a little crash course in engineering and construction that's sure to get their own brain's cogs turning. The Technic set is also the more affordable of the two sets, which makes it the better choice for budget-conscious Lego space fans.

Side-by-side comparison