Lego's latest Hubble set lets you look inside one of history's greatest space telescopes

Lego's most recent Hubble Space Telescope set, launched on August 1 for $139.99, offers a unique perspective on the iconic observatory. This 1,252-piece model from the Lego Icons line captures both the telescope's exterior and internal workings, a departure from previous versions that only focused on the outside. Key instruments such as the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, Advanced Camera for Surveys, and Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer are included, their placement mirroring the telescope's real-life configuration.

Opening the set reveals the secondary mirror assembly, primary mirror, and central baffle, all crucial components for capturing and processing light. The model also showcases the telescope's gyroscopes, guidance sensors, communication antennas, and solar arrays, reflecting its most recent upgrades. While some details are not explicitly labeled, they still accurately represent the actual hardware.

A steering wheel piece serves as a metaphorical capture mechanism for future servicing or deorbit missions. The set is designed at a 1:35 scale, comparable to Lego minifigures, and includes an astronaut figure wearing a spacesuit similar to those used during servicing missions. The display stand even features a plaque detailing key milestones, including the five shuttle servicing missions, and printed images of three famous Hubble observations.

This is the first Hubble set built with this scale in mind, marking a significant shift in Lego's approach to modeling the telescope.