Lego's supersized Hubble deserves a little more shine

Lego has unveiled its most substantial Hubble Space Telescope model yet, surpassing the size of the observatory found in the Space Shuttle Discovery set. This new set is particularly noteworthy due to its extensive use of grey plastic, a characteristic that could be seen as a shortcoming, hinting at potential cost-cutting measures by the company.

While Lego has previously created various interpretations of Hubble, including a larger version within the Space Shuttle Discovery set and a smaller one in the Women of NASA set, both are no longer available. Priced at £119.99, the Icons Hubble Space Telescope is a substantial investment, measuring 32 cm in height, 38 cm in length (with the aperture door open), and 38 cm in width.

It comes with a single astronaut minifigure, representing the scale of the model, along with a power tool and a stand featuring iconic Hubble imagery and a plaque detailing the Space Shuttle servicing missions. Notably, the set does not include additional instruments to replicate the servicing activities, focusing instead on Hubble's primary components such as gyroscopes, mirrors, solar arrays, and antennas.

While some parts may prove challenging to assemble, the set is intended for individuals aged 18 and above. Despite minor inconveniences like the predominance of grey plastic and the necessity of using stickers, the Hubble Space Telescope set included with the Space Shuttle Discovery Icons set is a significant addition to the Icons range.

Celebrating Hubble's 35th anniversary in April 2025, the set features a "35" decal on the astronaut minifigure's back. As the real Hubble continues to orbit, albeit possibly with a shortened lifespan, the Lego version is expected to remain a durable and enjoyable collectible, potentially repurposed by enthusiasts for imaginative constructs.