Space 1985

New Parts

Bar 1 x 3 with Clip and Stud Receptacle (Robot Arm)

Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 2/3 with Studs on Sides

Dish 2 x 2 Inverted (Radar)

Hose, Flexible 8.5L with Tabless Ends

Lever Small Base with Lever

Panel 4 x 4 x 6 Corner Convex Ribbed

Unnamed (1968)

Features: Spaceship with detachable rear module that carries a brick-built robot and a small rover.

Thoughts: Holy hoses! Quirky modular spaceship goes all in with the new hose part. Also features the new ribbed corner panels and small radar dishes. The new robot arm pieces are used to make a small robot.

Astro Dasher (6805)

Features: Small flyer with blue astronaut.

Thoughts: Big cannon in front for such a small ship. Packs in five space wings into a compact build.

Surface Hopper (6806)

Features: Red astronaut in a hover chair.

Thoughts: Thrusters galore! I these tiny sets.

Space Sledge with Astronaut and Robot (6807)

Features: Another astronaut with hover chair – this time in yellow with a small robot companion.

Thoughts: Simple and fun.

Cosmic Comet (6825)

Features: Small blue flyer decorated with transparent yellow hoses. Comes with a white astronaut.

Thoughts: I like the reverse swept wings.

Crater Crawler (6826)

Features: Lunar rover with detachable hover chair for quick getaways. Comes with a yellow astronaut.

Thoughts: I love the hover chair escape pod!

Space Dozer (6847)

Features: Gray construction vehicle with a yellow astronaut. Outfitted with two computer consoles, twin hoses, and a large scanner/weapon.

Thoughts: Clever use of hinged windscreen canopy as the plow. Rocket-propelled because Space! Also lasers.

Inter-Planetary Shuttle (6848)

Features: Small gray spaceship with a red astronaut, storage compartments in back, and reverse swept wings.

Thoughts: Looks more like a hovercraft to me.

Xenon X-Craft (6872)

Features: Small blue spaceship has reverse swept wings paired with adjustable canards. Includes a yellow astronaut and a small robot.

Thoughts: I like the color scheme. There’s no place to stow the robot.

Walking Astro Grappler (6882)

Features: Bizarre walker (technically a shuffler) comes with a single black astronaut.

Thoughts: the beak-like standup cockpit and articulated grabber arm.

Gamma V Laser Craft (6891)

Features: Modular spaceship comes with a single black astronaut and a blue robot.

Thoughts: Angled wings are a nice touch on the rear.

FX Star Patroller (6931)

Features: Modular spaceship with six-wheeled rover, yellow astronaut, and black robot.

Thoughts: the weapon/sensor arrays up front.

Solar Power Transporter (6952)

Features: Large ground vehicle with a central trailer and twin cockpits at front and rear. Comes with four astronauts and a brick-built robot.

Thoughts: Giant push-me-pull-you. Splits to form two flyers (with wheels as hover jets) or 1 really odd car. Jet pack!

Wrap-Up

This was LEGO Space’s biggest year yet (in terms of number of sets released). Of the thirteen sets released in 1985, only one set came with more than one astronaut (although several came with robot companions). I thought this was a strong year. Stand out sets are Walking Astro Grappler (6882) and Solar Power Transporter (6952).

Next up: Space 1986