Space 1990

New Minfig and Color

M:Tron debuted a new minifigure design and a brand new color: transparent neon green. This bright color would be used widely across LEGO Space themes for a decade.

New Parts

Antenna Whip 8H

Minfigure, M:Tron

Magnet Cylindrical

Magnet Holder 2 x 3

Magnet Holder Tile 2 x 2 – Short Arms

Minifigure, Utensil Tool Chainsaw Body

Wheel Hard Plastic Medium (35mm D. x 31mm)

New Prints

The M:Tron “M” was printed on a number of different parts. There was also a new pattern for computer tiles.

Meteor Monitor (1875)

Features: Small flyer with posable wings.

Thoughts: This small Blacktron flyer was part of a 3-set value pack. The color scheme differed from earlier Blacktron sets.

Pulsar Charger (6811)

Features: Small flyer with a retro steering wheel.

Thoughts: Uses the new whip antenna piece (securely held in place with a clip).

Beacon Tracer (6833)

Features: Small rover canted at an angle with a canopy that opens.

Thoughts: The new 1 x 2 printed computer tile serves as the controls. Again makes use of the new whip antenna.

Vector Detector (6877)

Features: Small spaceship that hauls a crate using magnets.

Thoughts: Clever locking mechanism for the canopy. Features the new magnet parts and a container with a printed door. First and smallest space set to use magnets.

Celestial Forager (6896)

Features: Space tow truck (magnetic) with a neat steering mechanism.

Thoughts: I like the way the tow arm is secured with magnets. The new medium-sized space wheels debut here. They are smaller than the wheels introduced in 1989’s Spy-Trak I (6895).

Steering mechanism

Magnetic tow arm action

Particle Ioniser (6923)

Features: Mid-sized spacehip with magnetic crane, cargo crate, storage compartments, one astronaut and a robot.

Thoughts: A space helicopter? First appearance of a slightly larger magnetic crate. Nice use of the printed hinges to form posable wings. The robot is a throwback to Futuron and Classic Space.

Stellar Recon Voyager (6956)

Features: M:Tron flagship carries three magnetic crates, a crane, a rover, and two astronauts.

Thoughts: Smaller than previous flagships such as 1989’s Mission Commander (6986). The rover is stored via a magnet at the nose of the spaceship. The larger magnetic crate with the printed hinged doors is neat.

Magnetic rover

Mega Core Magnetizer (6989)

Features: Large ground vehicle with crane that carries three crates, two rovers, a small flyer, and three astronauts.

Thoughts: Best Space ground vehicle ever! The crane can deploy and stow all items aboard. I love the use of the larger quarter dome part to form a huge windscreen.

Mega Core Magnetizer has a steering mechanism manipulated via a large radar dish.

Wrap-up

These are the 8 space sets (1 Blacktron + 7 M:Tron) from 1990.

Magnets are a great addition to LEGO Space. Even 30 years later these parts hold up well. M:Tron as a space theme centered on cargo and transport was a great addition to the LEGO Space line-up. My favorite set from 1990 is the Mega Core Magnetizer while second place goes to Celestial Forager.

Next up: Space 1991 and Blacktron gets a reboot.