Lego is taking another leap into space-this time skipping the rocket and zeroing in on the Hubble Space Telescope. The company revealed a new Lego Icons set featuring 1,252 pieces, hitting shelves on August 1 for $140. The model includes opening panels, movable solar arrays, and an astronaut minifigure to help showcase the scale.
The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most iconic scientific instruments ever launched. Deployed in 1990, Hubble’s observations have sharpened estimates of the universe’s age, unveiled distant galaxies, and captured nebulas in unprecedented detail. Lego’s version is obviously less complex, but it includes surprisingly detailed engineering touches: parts of the casing can be removed to reveal miniaturized internals like gyroscopes and mirrors.
Antennas and solar panels also move realistically. The entire model rests on a display stand with a descriptive plaque. Including an astronaut figure helps provide a clear size reference, which is important given Hubble’s imposing real-world scale.
Lego Icons Hubble Space Telescope set specs and features
- 1,252 pieces
- Part of the Lego Icons series
- Removable body panels
- Movable antenna and solar panels
- Display stand with nameplate
- Astronaut minifigure included
- Assembled height over 31 cm (12.2 inches)
- Approximate dimensions 38 × 38 cm (15 × 15 inches) with panels open
This isn’t Lego’s first Hubble-related set. Back in 2021, Lego released a Space Shuttle Discovery model that included Hubble as part of the shuttle’s payload. Now, the telescope takes center stage in its own dedicated set-reflecting Lego’s growing focus on adult collectors with a taste for NASA history. Recent releases include the Saturn V, Apollo 11 lunar module, and Mars rover Perseverance.
At $140, this Hubble Space Telescope set lands in Lego’s midrange price tier for space-themed kits. It’s not as pricey as the larger collector models but isn’t exactly an impulse buy either. Judging by the details and presentation, Lego seems to aim for enthusiasts looking for a display-worthy piece-something to place alongside astrophysics books or vintage nebula posters on a shelf.
The real Hubble Space Telescope is still orbiting Earth and is expected to remain operational at least into the mid-2030s, according to NASA projections. Over three and a half decades, it has undergone five shuttle servicing missions. Even after the 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble continues its invaluable observations. Unlike many nostalgia-driven models, this Lego set celebrates an active scientific icon that’s still in action.
Watching how Lego continues to blend detailed engineering with collectible presentation in this kit will be interesting. Will it spark broader interest in space science among builders, or prompt even more NASA-inspired releases? Given Hubble’s enduring legacy, this set may become a staple for both toy enthusiasts and space geeks alike.