Author: Mark

Set 60431: Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life

A six-wheeled monster-truck looking space rover crewed by two astronauts (azure pilot and green scientist). The front two wheels have a bouncy shock absorbers while the rear four wheels have left-right independent suspension that should be perfect for moving over rough terrain. Two happy aliens sit within craters in a section of alien terrain that also holds one of those purple crystals the astronauts are exploiting as a power source. A small wheeled robot (powered by a purple battery cell) accompanies the astronauts and fits in the back of the rover. Unfortunately the rover rides so high that its back ramp doesn’t reach the ground, and the robot would need to drop the final meter or so. The rover itself is powered by two battery packs consisting of two cells each. The two astronauts get a camera and some binoculars to use, but the interior of the rover is so cramped that there’s no place to store them. I guess you just throw them in loose and have them rattle around. Overall a handsome vehicle that’s fun to bounce on its springs.

Box for LEGO City Space set 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life. Box depicts a 6-wheeled rover in white and black with orangish-red highlights piloted by a blue astronaut across alien terrain. In the background a green astronaut photographs some green aliens launching from a pair of dark tan craters. A small wheeled robot sits nearby.
Six-wheeled rover in white with black and reddish orange trim. With its raised suspension it looks a bit like a monster truck.
Green and azure-suited LEGO astronauts and a small wheeled robot flank a section of dark tan terrain with two craters. Happy looking 3-eyed lime green aliens sit in each crater.
Two LEGO astronauts help a small wheeled robot move down the back ramp of their large monster truck space rover. Sadly for the little robot the ramp doesn't even reach the ground because the rover sits so high.

Set 60430: Interstellar Spaceship (2024)

Another small set without stickers. A speedy-locking spaceship, a small drone that doubles as a jetpack, and an astronaut pilot. Her dark blue helmet and arms indicate that not only is she a pilot, but she’s a senior pilot (darker colors seem to indicate seniority). Press down on the battery pack behind the cockpit and the flanges around the engine open. This moving function has a very satisfying feel; it makes a great desktop fidget while thinking about code.

Box for LEGO City Space set 60430 Interstellar Spaceship. Box depicts a sleek white and black spaceship piloted by an astronaut.
Two numbered bags of parts, instruction manual, and two larger loose pieces for LEGO set 60430.
A speedy-looking black and white LEGO spaceship with a dark tinted canopy. A small drone flies nearby.
A female astronaut LEGO minifigure with dark blue helmet and sleeves holds a transparent blue panel with computer display. A brick-built jet pack /drone stands next to her. In the background her spaceship is parked with the canopy open.

Set 60429: Spaceship and Asteroid Discovery (2024)

This small set is rated 4+, which means no stickers and plenty of great printed parts. There’s a chunky but swooshable spaceship, a crane for lifting asteroids, a science station with computers and tools, two asteroids, two astronauts in azure (pilot) and green (science), and a happy alien that looks like space lettuce. Both the ship and the science station are powered by battery packs, this time with two cells apiece. I really like the printed slopes on the spaceship and the transparent blue printed display.

Box for LEGO City Space set 60429 Spaceship and Asteroid Discovery. Box depicts a spaceship flying over a couple pieces of alien terrain; one with a crane opening a boulder and another with a research station.
Two instruction manuals, two bags of parts, and three larger loose pieces for LEGO City Space set 60429.
Close up of a chunky LEGO spaceship in black and white with a shaded cockpit canopy that is currently raised. An astronaut in an azure and white suit holds a purple crystal.
On the left is a science station with computer screen, a purple crystal, and a battery pack. In front of it is a small rack holding some tools. On the right is a crane lifting an asteroid. An astronaut in green and white stands next to it holding a purple crystal. In between are an asteroid cracked open to remove purple crystals inside and a chunky happy lime green alien.

Set 60428: Space Construction Mech (2024)

The second smallest set in LEGO’s latest space line. In addition to a mech with one claw and one hammer hand, you build a small section of alien terrain with purple crystals and a small mining robot. The astronauts are color-coded; orange seems to indicate construction worker/miner/engineer. The mech and the robot are both powered by purple battery cells that must be manufactured from the crystals. The set has a few stickers that I opted not to apply but also comes with several nice printed elements.

Box for LEGO City Space set 60428 Space Construction Mech. Box depicts an orange astronaut in a gray mech pounding some purple crystals off of some rocks. A small robot with two drill arms is in the background.
A gray and white LEGO mech in white and gray towers over a small robot with two drill arms and a small dark orange section of alien terrain with two purple crystals.
Close up of some LEGO. From left to right: a small section of alien terrain with purple crystals, a small mining robot with drill arms, and an astronaut in yellowish-orange armor.