Lego and Lunar Outpost to roll out ‘Moon Rover Space Vehicle’ in August

The United States’ first teleoperated rover to reach the moon’s surface is rolling out as a Lego model this summer, together with two futuristic vehicles inspired by real-life robotic lunar explorers.

The new Lunar Outpost Moon Rover Space Vehicle is scheduled for release on Aug. 1, as part of Lego’s Technic line of advanced building kits. The $99.99 set is the result of a collaboration between the Danish toymaker and Lunar Outpost, a Colorado-based company specializing in lunar surface mobility, commercial space robotics and space resources.

“Inspired by real-life Lunar Outpost vehicles enabling humanity’s return to the moon, this Lego Technic Lunar Outpost Moon Rover Space Vehicle comes with a moon rover, mining rover and MAPP rover to inspire endless journeys of exploration,” reads the set’s description on Lego’s website.

The MAPP, or Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform, was the key part of Lunar Outpost’s Lunar Voyage 1 mission, which on March 6 arrived on the moon, making history. It would have made even more, had the commercial lander that delivered MAPP there not have immediately tipped over, trapping the rover inside its garage. It never had the chance to actually rove anywhere.

Fortunately, there is planned a Lunar Voyage 2. Another MAPP is scheduled to launch to the moon in 2026 carrying a suite of NASA instruments to investigate a magnetic anomaly known as a “lunar swirl.” The mission will demonstrate the versatility of the rover, including its ability to drive long distances and carry a large payload for its size.

The MAPP included with the Lego Technic Lunar Outpost Moon Rover Space Vehicle is representative of the rover in general, with some details modeled specifically after the first one to be sent the moon. The other robotic explorers that are included in this set are not based on current Lunar Outpost designs, but represent capabilities needed to tap into the resources found on the surface.

“The main model is a futuristic all-terrain moon rover with rocker suspension, four-wheel steering, deployable solar panels and a rotating arm,” reads Lego’s product page for the 1,082-piece kit. “Use the arm to lift the smaller mining rover and send it on a mission to retrieve the moon regolith (lunar rock) elements. Store the rocks in the sample container then deploy the MAPP rover to gather more information about the moon’s surface.”

The main moon rover when fully assembled measures over 5 inches high, 12 inches long and 7.5 inches wide (13 by 31 by 19 centimeters). The kit is intended builders ages 10 and above.

This the first product released under the Lego and Lunar Outpost partnership, which was first announcement a few days before the first MAPP rover arrived on the lunar surface. At the time, Lego said it was “teaming up” with the rover company “over a shared love of space” and “building ridiculously cool things.”