Welcome to The Brick Stand’s weekly spotlight on retired LEGO sets! This week, we’re diving into the outer reaches of space with the Mars Research Shuttle. Released as part of the City theme, set number 60226 took off on its final mission before retiring on September 18th, 2021. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at this interstellar LEGO set and all its exciting features.
Embark on a Galactic Journey with the LEGO City Mars Research Shuttle Set
The LEGO City Mars Research Shuttle set is a fantastic addition to any space enthusiast’s collection. With 4124 pieces, this set offers an engaging and immersive building experience. The set includes a space research shuttle with an opening cockpit, cargo doors, and space for the storage drone, a Mars rover with an articulated grappling arm, laser, and solar panels, as well as a helidrone with a spinning rotor blade and scanner. Additionally, the set features a Mars scenery build with a secret symbol, adding a sense of mystery and adventure. Two astronaut minifigures, along with various accessories such as helmets, suits, and geodes, are included to enhance the play experience. Designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts, this set provides a great opportunity for imaginative play and exploration. With its detailed features and interactive elements, the LEGO City Mars Research Shuttle set offers a rewarding building experience for fans of space exploration and LEGO enthusiasts alike.
Legacy of Exploration
The LEGO Mars Research Shuttle, part of the City theme, is a significant set in LEGO history for its focus on space exploration. It provides a fun and educational play experience, fueling the imagination of young builders interested in science and technology. The set was well-received for its medium size and playability, offering a variety of components including the shuttle, rover, core sample retrieval drone, and helicopter drone. The color scheme and design of the set were inspired by real-life Mars missions such as Mars 2020, adding an educational dimension. While it received mixed reviews for parts and overall play value, it has gradually become a popular choice among Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs), especially for those interested in space-themed sets.
Buzz and Banter
The Mars Research Shuttle has received mixed reviews from the community. One review, shared by Sobel, described the set as “nice looks, but not much more.” This sentiment is echoed in their assessment of the set’s parts, minifigures, build, and completed model. Sobel notes that while the shuttle has an appealing design and some play value, it lacks additional functions and substance, feeling like an enlarged version of a previous LEGO shuttle model. Another review by OscarDelta, however, offered a different perspective, calling the set a “fascinating look at two future Mars missions.” They highlighted the educational potential of the set, praising its inspiring representation of real-life Mars missions and the appealing color scheme. The reviewer acknowledged the set’s components such as the rover, helicopter drone, and core retrieval drone, emphasizing the potential for educational play, especially for children interested in space. Another positive review from Japanbuilder described the set as “great for play and flight,” recognizing its value for money and playability. Japanbuilder noted the set’s variety of components and minifigures, highlighting the fun and education potential for children interested in space exploration and technology. These diverse perspectives reflect the varied reactions to the Mars Research Shuttle set.
All the reviews for this article were provided by Brickset.com: Mars Research Shuttle Reviews
Image Gallery
In this week’s spotlight, we delved into the captivating world of the retired LEGO set, the Mars Research Shuttle. With its product number 60226 and belonging to the City theme, this set retired on various dates in 2021. Join us next week for another exciting edition of our Weekly Retired Set Spotlight, as we unveil another gem from the archives of LEGO history. Be sure to check back in for more retired sets that will evoke nostalgia and inspire your imagination.
