Finally, the eleventh and final mission of NASA’s Apollo program, Apollo 17, has gotten the LEGO love via the LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – LRV (42182) set. Technically, the LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V can also count as the Apollo 17 mission since this modern heavy-lift rocket was also responsible for sending Commander Gene Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans to the moon in 1972.
Anyhoo, the LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – LRV (42182) is a very intriguing set. The 1,913-piece set lets you build the displayable model version of the lunar rover module carried by Apollo 17 and it is foldable, as it should be. You can display the completed model as an unfolded NASA rover or display it in its rover form with its 3 attachable equipment sets—each with its information plaque.
The model is as detailed as it can be. It touts working steering and suspension, a model battery pack—complete with heating and cooling elements, a TV camera with antennae, and a communication unit. Also included with the set is a shovel and drill for discovering the LEGO Moon rock elements (so cool!).
The set further features the Traverse Gravimeter Experiment, plus a tribute to the largest rock sample to have been brought to Earth by the Apollo program, Big Muley. When completed the model measures 14 cm high, 38 cm long, and 25 cm wide (5.5 x 15 x 10 inches).
The LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – LRV (42182) can be had for US$219.99 when it becomes available starting August 01, 2024. Eager fans, however, can secure a copy by pre-ordering it from LEGO.com.
Images: LEGO.
