MPC
“Pilgrim Observer Space Station”
Learning Curve Brands Inc./Round 2, LLC
2011
Item #MPC713
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: While not inexpensive (and what isn’t these days), you’re getting an above-average quality product. There’s no obvious “flash” (the extra bits of plastic that get left on in production), the box is rather nice, there’s an iron-on, some nice spaceship-y decals, and a small background booklet that is perfect for future young scientists and engineers with lots of details on the layout of the station and the kinds of science it would be doing in its peregrinations around the Solar system.
When I was picking it up, the gentleman at the local hobby shop was rather curious about it so I gave him some background, and mentioned its marked similarity to NASA’s recent Nautilus-X design. I’ve been thinking of putting together the Moon Bus, but I think I’m going to tackle this one first.
Little People
“Rumble ‘n Blast Space Ship”
Fisher-Price
2010
ID. V4348-0910
NO: 7433P
Publisher’s Web Site
Sesame Street
“Elmo’s Space Adventure Building Set”
K’Nex
2010
#85364
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: “Today, Elmo is exploring the Moon, just like an astronaut!” Right on.
“Lego City Space Shuttle”
LEGO
2011
Catalog #: 3367
Publisher’s Website
LEGOSpace Website
Librarian’s Note: Finally, the LEGOSpace countdown clock runs to zero again, and I use my lunch hour to head to the LEGO store at the mall just up the road a bit. I’m all anxious to load up on the new sets, like the Moon buggy (oh yeah) and the rocket launch complex. Marching into the store I quickly discern the new set. Singular. The space shuttle. But, but…Moon buggy!?! “Those are brand new”, informs the saleslady,and I’m all “Yeah, but where are the rest of the sets?” and she’s like “That’s all we got. We don’t have an ETA for the other sets.”
So the wait continues. I’ll build yet another Shuttle model and probably take it down to Frontiers of Flight to display with the other recent Shuttle model that LEGO put out (which was a fun build). Still, I’m really looking forward to the launch complex. And the Moon buggy…
“Meteor Strike”
LEGO
2011
Catalog #: 3850
Librarian’s Note: Just released (and for only $19.99) at my local LEGO store, where they inform me that it looks as if LEGO has discontinued the Lunar Command game, as they haven’t seen anything about it being released here in the U.S. As far as space games go, looks like you’ll have to make do with this one.
Vujigigi Brothers
“Expedition Halley”
2004
KIWIreviews.co.nz Review
Space Shuttle with Tanker
Sevi
Publisher’s Web Site
Eklund, Phil
“High Frontier”
Sierra Madre Games
2010
Publisher’s Web Site
Board Game Geek Website
Board Game Geek Review
Board Game Geek Review II
Librarian’s Note: Wow! Some 30 years in the making, this thing is thorough. For 2-5 players, the rules run to 24 pages of dense text and images. The propulsion options will satisfy even the most esoteric rocket motor geeks - how ’bout a pebble-bed fission reactor for your asteroid-bound spacecraft? He’s got our second Moon, Cruithne, mapped in there, you’ll learn the names of all kinds of asteroids and what they’re good for, and players will have a much better understanding of the importance of Lagrange Points and the Interplanetary Superhighways. The Expansion Set doubles the board size to include Jupiter and Saturn and offers some interesting twists. This game is really an amazing achievement.
KidKraft
“Rocket Ship Adventure”
Constructive Playthings
2009
KDK-13
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Just picked this one up. Definitely a most excellent play set.
READ MORE…
Moebius Models
“The Moon Bus”
2010
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Now this one is pretty cool. I can’t wait to put it together. About 1/55th scale.
Constructive Playthings
“Space Adventure”
Keenway Industries
2010
Item #12431/KNW-431L
Publisher’s Web Site
LEGO®
Space Backpack + Lunch Set
Carry Gear Solutions LLC
2010
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: My hope is that this is and the big Shuttle set are a foreshadowing of a new “real space” series to come out soon. It’s really too small for adults, but right-sized for those 5+. It features an interior pouch, a pencilbox zip pocket in front, and waterbottle mesh pouches on the sides. The lunch ‘box’ has a pocket in front, a handle, and a velcro thingee to attach to the backpack, which has an attachment point above the lunging astronaut minifig image just for that purpose. There’s also a sternum strap to help distribute the load. I may have to pick up a couple of these for the NSS of North Texas Santa Space Toy Drive this year.
LEGO
“Shuttle Adventure”
Item 10213
2010
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Hah! The LEGO website has it listed for $99.99. I got mine at the local LEGO store for that price, and it is pretty stupendous at 1,204 pieces. The nephews are coming over this weekend to help put it together (and wishing it was for them), and then it’s going down to the Frontiers of Flight Museum to be added to the display case of modern space toys that accompanies the exhibit of Lunar art. Tune in to OotC for an update soon on the Moon Day planning.
[Update: A most excellent set, with a working robotic arm and satellite to deploy. The spring action landing gear is pretty cool, as is the cockpit area. Totally sweet. I’m still waiting on the LEGO Lunar Electric Rover, though.]
“The Moon · La Lune · Der Mond · La Luna”
Eurographics
2010
19.250″ x 26.625″
Item #: 6000-1007
Publisher’s Web Site
“Rocket Baby Play Set”
International Playthings LLC
2010
Item #: E00277
Publisher’s Web Site
Lindberg
“Space Base & Satellite Explorer”
J Lloyd International Inc.
2010
#91008
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: So new it’s not even up yet at the manufacturer’s website, at last there’s a new, non-shuttle model kit to work on. I picked up the copy for the Lunar Library at my locally-owned and operated hobby store; when I find a good online link I’ll attach it.
LEGO
“Lunar Command”
2009
Item #4534895
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Not yet available in the U.S., this was one of my top acquisition priorities during my trip to Strasbourg for the ISU Syposium.
P.S. The one nephew loved it and always wants to play it.
“Level Up: En Route vers la Lune”
Asmodee
?
Réf. LU01
Schwartz, Scott & Aaron Toman
“Mission: I.S.S.”
Iron Bear Studios
2002
Mattel Inc.
“Miss Astronaut Barbie®”
Special Edition - My Favorite Career: 1965
2009
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: The third Barbie® added to the Lunar Library, this one is a reproduction of a 1965 model that arrived just in time for the Gemini program. From the package:
“Yes, she was a rocket scientist - taking us to new fashion heights, while firmly placing her stilettos on the [M]oon.”
P.S. I’m still waiting for the Barbie® Dream™ ISS/Bigelow Module.
“Pocket Rockets”
Hazgaard Editions/Asmodee US
2009
Ref: KG17
Publisher’s Web Site
BoardGameGeek Web Site
KidKraft
Glow in the Dark Space Train Station
Item 17471
2009 (?)
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Wicked cool! Glow in the dark tracks and features, different centers of activity, three teams of astronauts (red, blue, yellow), nuclear materials to move around, massive robots from some machine intelligence beyond the stars, a cool celestial navigation table for the command center, trucks, a crane, a rocket, a saucer, and some aliens (if you’re into that sort of thing), all guaranteed to provide hours and hours of imaginative play. Kudos to KidKraft for this one.
“2-in-1 Space Rocket”
Daron Toys
2009
Item #: FM361
Publisher’s Web Site
“Apollo 27″ Rocket
Pegasus Hobbies
2009
Stock # 9101
Publisher’s Web Site
War Torn Worlds
“Eight Man Grey Crater”
08/2009
WTW-06819
Publisher’s Web Site
Librarian’s Note: Found this at Games Plus near Chicago, a very well stocked gaming store. Some day I am going to run a Lunar-themed RPG scenario at a sci-fi con. Some day…
