LEGO first released a set with buildable instructions based on space travel in 1973 with Legoland Rocket Base 358-1 (the Space Rocket from 1964 didn’t have detailed instructions).

Interest saw the release of the Lunar Lander in 1975, but work was already happening in the designers rooms in Denmark for something much, much bigger.

Many think the Space range was inspired by Star Wars’ release in 1977 … but the sets were already designed and waiting on a launch date set for the following year.

Seeing the success of Star Wars, and spurred by a competitor about to steal their thunder, they released the 462 Rocket Launcher in 1978, followed by the flagship of the fleet, the much craved Galaxy Explorer.

The LEGO space journey has seen them delve into different design concepts. Following the initial Space range that ran from 1978-87 (now called Classic Space to make the original fans feel old) LEGO created new concepts: Futuron (1987–90), Blacktron (1987–88), Space Police (1989), M:Tron [the ‘m’ is for magnets’] (1990–91), Blacktron Future Generation (1991–92), Space Police II (1992–93), Ice Planet 2002 (1993–94), Spyrius (1994–95), Unitron (1994–95), Exploriens (1996), Roboforce (1997), UFO (1997–98), Insectoids (1998–99), Life on Mars (2001), Mars Mission (2007–08), Space Police III (2009–10), Alien Conquest (2011), and the final official theme, Galaxy Squad (2013).

Recent years have seen LEGO follow two strands in their space collections: directly inspired by NASA and other projects that are actually happening, and fantastical visions of the future in the Creators line.

Check out LEGO’s official timeline of their journeys in space, and while you’re at it, why not make your own?