At long last, the LEGO Ideas team have finally announced and unveiled the LEGO Ideas 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V set! They’ve done a fantastic job teasing the set over the past few weeks and I am really excited with what has been unveiled. Safe to say that my astronomical expectations were blown away.
The Saturn V rocket is the 17th LEGO Ideas set to be released, and is based off the successful project submitted by Felix Stiessen (saabfan) and Valérie Roche (whatsuptoday).
LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V is made out of 1969 pieces (a nice nod to the year of the moon landing), and will retail for USD 119.99 / EURO 119.99 / GBP 109.99. The release date for the LEGO Ideas Saturn V set is 1 June 2017.
You can buy it from LEGO.com here:
- LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V – US$119.99 [US]
- LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V – AU$169.99 [AUS]
- LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V – £109.99 [UK]
Update: The Australian price for the NASA Apollo Saturn V set is AU$169.99! What a brilliant price. Definite Day 1 purchase for me!
The original project was incredibly ambitious and I’m glad that LEGO kept relatively true to the spirit of the original. The Saturn V, with 1969 pieces is officially the largest LEGO Ideas set yet (till the Old Fishing Store arrives).
It’s most incredible feature is its height. The Saturn V rocket stands at 1 metre high (approximately 1:110 scale), which will ensure that it towers over any LEGO set that you might have other than say the Eiffel Tower.
Displaying a 1 metre-tall set is no mean feat, so the Saturn V set comes with 3 stands so that you can display it horizontally.
A really ingenious design feature also sees the Lunar Module contained within the rocket itself.
The Lunar Module/Lander is small but contains an accurate shape. Perhaps the most fascinating thing about this set is that it contains 3 exclusive Astronaut microfigures which look to be quite detailed.
These 3 astronauts are there to represent Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
There’s also the return capsule with flotation devices for that extra bit of accuracy.
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but it sure looks like there are plenty of printed elements in the set, a move which will surely delight most Adult LEGO fans.
Overall, I am mighty impressed with this set and will be getting it the instant its released. The price tag is a little high, but I think for an almost 2,000 piece set with printed elements, AND that stands 1m tall… I think it’ll be a really worthwhile purchase.
Definitely can’t wait to review this one! Between this set and the Women of NASA set, it’s a great year to be a Space Exploration and LEGO fan!
So now that the LEGO Saturn V set has been unveiled, I’d love to know what you think of this set! Let me know if you’ll be picking this up in the comments!
TimR says
I purchased this set – it’s awesome. I want to display it horizontally with the 3 stages being separate (similar to the picture you have above) but I’m not comfortable using the lego stands – they just aren’t sturdy enough – its too easy for the rocket to get bumped and knocked off the stand and suffer damage. I’m looking for clear plastic stands, 1 for each stage, that could be used to display it and be more stable and secure than the lego stands but I’m having problems finding a stand that would fit the bill. Anyone have any suggestions?
Mark Penney says
Maybe get something 3D printed? Should be easy enough to get someone to design up something suitable and print them out. It’s so cheap these days to do.. the hard part will be drawing up the design, but there are so many people out there doing this stuff I am sure you would find someone able to design it.
TimR says
Thanks for the reply. I did think about that but was hoping for an off the shelf solution. Something I can just buy at the store 🙂
Mark Penney says
Argh I am so sad.. I not only missed the release of this but didn’t even know about the new Chadstone store. Went to back order on my phone yesterday but got distracted, and now they are not available even for backorder 🙁
Going to have to pay a premium on eBay or something. Set looks amazing.. glad I found this site, thanks for all the cool articles Jay!
Jay says
Bummer! I heard that Chadstone has been getting more stock. Have you tried calling them up to see if they have any in stock?
They’ll definitely be a lot more on sale, just be patient! Hope you enjoy my site and stick around 🙂
Mark Penney says
So it’s back in stock online and I have ordered it. Stiff shipping fee, but still cheaper than me taking the time to drive to Chadstone on the hope they have it (Cannot find the store’s phone number).
Super excited.. this is the first Lego kit I have bought in decades!!!
Rogue1 says
Was there yesterday. They had a heap in stock.
Mark Penney says
Ah good to know thanks. Still cheaper for me to pay the $35 as I have no other reason to go there at this stage. And if I did I would probably want to start building it now instead of getting work done 🙂
Rogue1 says
Agree wholeheartedly!
I ended up driving down from BNE to DreamWorld to pick one up and had a blast building it!
Enjoy.
Jay says
Oh nice one! It’s a fantastic set. One of the best sets I’ve ever built. I’ll be 100% certain you’ll enjoy it!
Matt Mewis says
For those in the UK its available to order from John Lewis today!
Jay says
You guys are so lucky! You got the LEGO City sets early too. We’re beyond jealous here Down Under!
Adam says
Hey guys dose anyone know what stores will be selling this kit i.e bigw kmart toyworld as i would like to get one on the day of release
Thanks for the info guys and happy building
Jay says
The set will be released on 1 June at the Dreamworld LEGO Store and Chadstone Legoland Discovery Centre shop.
Independent stores like Toyworld are getting it in August. If you’re not anywhere near Dreamworld or Chadstone, your best bet would be to order it online on release day.
Adam says
Thanks Jay for the info will have to wait till August as lay-buying is the only way to go for me
Thanks Again
Adam
Jay says
You’re welcome!
Rogue1 says
DreamWorld have some left as of this afternoon. Managed to nab one!
Better than waiting ’30 days’ according to the AU Lego Website and cop the $30 postage charges.
Jay says
Nice one! Let me know what you think of the set once you’ve built it!
Debbie Love says
I’ve just ordered and paid for one at the LEGO Store at Dreamworld, in Queensland, I will be picking it up on Saturday.
Chris L says
How amazing is that price. Are you sure it isn’t a typo… Day 1 purchase for me. My army of Rocket Boys will soon have their shrine ?
Fred says
As much as I like how this set looks, I doubt I will get it. My parents don’t like me getting huge Lego sets, mostly small ones. In fact, the biggest set I have is the Bionicle Toa Terrain Crawler, which came in a big bag of almost complete Bionicles from a charity store. It looks kinda pricey too.
Jay says
Fair enough! Maybe you could convince them that this set has an educational element to it? Learn about the moon landings 😛
Tony says
Was the parts count of 1969 intentional for this set? The first lunar landing was in 1969. 🙂
Jay says
Definitely intentional! It’s a pretty clever thought from the designers to somehow incorporate the year of the moon landing on the box art!
Ross says
Amazing piece. I must be strange as i think $120 for something this detailed and size is quite cheap. Probably be a bit more when it hits stores in Australia but will definitely get it when it arrives. Showing my age here but i saw the moon landing live on tv. This celebrates a major event in my lifetime so well qorth it.
Jay says
I think itll hopefully come under AU$200! Man, watching the moon landing live is such an incredible experience, something you should be very proud of witnessing!
Warmongurl says
I think this is an amazing set!! Love that it’s one meter tall and that they worked in both the lunar module and return capsule. Luckily it jumped to the top of my boyfriend’s Lego purchase list so I get to enjoy it without dipping into my Lego budget, though I think it is inexpensively priced considering the piece count!
Jay says
Haha very nice! I’m definitely going to get this ahead of the Carousel. It just screams cool.
Nam says
Wow! That is a pretty neat set and should be quite a nice display piece. When you think about it, it’s good value with 1969 pieces and a huge size of 1 metre for $119.99USD. An equivalent Star Wars UCS set like the upcoming 75144 Snowspeeder has 1703 pieces but costs $199.99USD.
I must admit I would have liked to have a launch pad included, even if that put the price up. Or maybe LEGO can put out the launch pad as an optional accessory for those who would like to buy one. I think that would make this set into something really special.
As it is I think this set will sell very well. Might actually be worth picking up 2 (one to build and one to keep tucked away).
Jay says
It’s a little hard comparing to Star Wars because of the license fee, but yeah, despite its high price, the Saturn V has tons of value. What seems to be quite a number printed elements is also pretty awesome.
Yeah a launch pad would’ve been nice, but it seems like they were really trying hard to stick to 1969 pieces! Also that we’d most likely inflate the price further!
It has all the makings of a really special set and I hope it’ll do very well with fans and parents!
Michael says
I am in like Flynn! I love everything about it – and for 1969 pieces, it’s a fine price.
Jay says
Yup, for such a huge set too!
VaderFan2187 says
1969 pieces. LOL!!
Jay says
I thought it was pretty clever and is another example of how much love and care has been put into the set’s design!
Jay says
Yup, for such a huge set too! Plus it kinda has a “license” to it and what looks like plenty of printed elements!
Greg says
That looks awesome. I would like it but I will have to see what else is coming out later in the year. If the Millennium Falcon doesn’t come out then I will get this.
Jay says
Well all signs and rumours point towards the Millennium Falcon coming this year… Guess we need to start saving up!
Mark says
Being a massive space fan, this set is a MUST get for me. But I am very worried about how expensive this will be. I believe this will be in the $250-$300 range for us here in Australia. In my previous experiences, Lego Ideas sets seem to be jacked up with in regards to price, and I feel that this will be a continuation of the trend. However, this set I think could be worth it, regardless it will be on the shopping list.
Nam says
That’s so true. I just checked the US Lego website and the new 75144 Snowspeeder is selling for $199.99USD(267AUD). Yet the Aus Lego site has it listed for $329.99.
Jay says
That’s true, although I don’t expect this set to go above AU$200. My guess is somewhere around $189.99.
The Caterham set was priced quite fairly, so I think this trend will continue.
VaderFan2187 says
LEGO that isn’t in the U.S. is always expensive. Here in New Zealand we pay 2x the U.S. prices!! >:-(
Jay says
Yeah… plus the Free Shipping threshold from LEGO.com is ridiculous.
Ian Hazlehurst says
OMG yes ! Been waiting for a set like this, cant wait 🙂
Jay says
Me too! Really glad to see that they’ve managed to squeeze in so many cool details into the rocket! Really hoping that they’re all printed elements!
Matt says
Oh, and I just realized the way the flag is attached is considered an ‘illegal’ connection by LEGO Group.
Jay says
Haha yeah I spotted that too. Wouldn’t be the first time they did it in an official set, though. I recall a similar case in the Avengers Helicarrier set too.
VaderFan2187 says
They attached 1×1 tiles to clips didn’t they? I think the connections is only illegal if the plate has studs on it. Anyway it’s a tile here and it isn’t connected to anything.
Jay says
Sounds about right!
Matt says
Wow what has LEGO done……with the amount of collaboration with NASA recently, I’ve been starting to really question sets like this. Why do we need two NASA sets in one year anyway? What about all the other non-licensed sets that could have made it? Does LEGO really think that everyone believes the moon missions are real? These days, lots of people believe otherwise, so LEGO is appearing to be a nit narrow-minded. Returning to my first point, why doesn’t LEGO just make a NASA theme so that other Ideas sets actually have a chance? This is one major reason I’ve never participated in Ideas, as I feel it is very biased, and LEGO has actually rejected projects in the review and later made a theme/set based very closely off of the idea that was rejected.
Cheeseisqwerty says
“Does LEGO really think that everyone believes the moon missions are real?”
Yes?
Jay says
LMAO, can’t believe this is being brought up.
VaderFan2187 says
I know right. XD
Luke says
I’m not sure if you’re serious or not. The moon landings being real doesn’t affect the set, and isn’t a debate I’ll get into, but even if they’re not, lego sets have always been more ficticious than fact anyway, so it’s a moot point. And of course the review process is biased, its a business decision not a random lottery.
J says
Lots of people believe lots of things, that doesn’t make them true. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that prove that the moon landings happened. If you don’t like the set move along. I’m sure you and some uneducated rappers and NBA players could go put on tin hats and talk about how the world is flat( can’t believe in 2017 there actually people who believe this).
Matt says
Wow you sure got mad quickly. You must be quite uneducated to call NBA players and rappers uneducated. Do some research before making yourself look and sound stupid.
Adam says
I said it once, and I will repeat. Anyone who thinks moon landing is a hoax is stupid.
If amount of evidence for moon landing is insufficient for you, you are lost to reason.
Adam says
I believe that there are stupid people too.
Jay says
Well, the reason this set was approved is purely commercial. People love NASA and space exploration so obviously LEGO have to select sets that will sell well. With regards to non-licensed sets, we have the Old Fishing Store coming up, so it’s not like LEGO Ideas is completely a licensed set vehicle.
There’s probably a lot more that goes into creating a new theme than what it seems. Each theme has dedicated themes of Product Managers, Marketing, Supply Chain management, Design etc, so there’s a huge investment that goes into creating a whole new theme dedicated to NASA. That said, there was a NASA theme a few years ago – I guess depending on how well this set and the Women of NASA set do, LEGO may expand it to a proper theme like what they did with Minecraft, but that would be pretty unlikely.
Matt Merrill says
Amazing! Way out of my price range or room to display but what a great set!
Jay says
Haha yeah, I also have no idea how I’m going to display this. I’m thinking some wall mounts or brackets might be a creative way to show the rocket off!
Sandrokan says
lovely , I have the original LEM set and this is a must have for the lEGO and the “outer space” fan.
Jay says
Agreed! Also really love the heavy emphasis on science and space exploration from LEGO this year! ?
Scott says
This set looks awesome and jumps to the top of my list. Part of me wants to put this on display in my office at work. Maybe I should purchase two sets 🙂
Jay says
Oh man. Now you’ve given me an idea that I can’t get out of my head.
I probably need a bigger desk to fit it, haha.