LEGO Icons Shuttle Carrier reflects close ties with NASA and Boeing

The LEGO Group’s close working relationship with both NASA and Boeing is reflected in the upcoming 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

Space enthusiasts got their first look at 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft yesterday, with the upcoming 2,417-piece set due to launch next week. The LEGO Icons model features brick-built versions of both a Boeing 747 and NASA’s Space Shuttle Enterprise, plus working features, a display stand and an information plaque.

In a recent roundtable interview with Brick Fanatics and other fan media, the LEGO Icons design team discussed various aspects of 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, including the set being inspired by 10318 Concorde. In addition, the model’s designers also revealed how the build ultimately came about due to a close working relationship with NASA and Boeing.

“NASA is always a lovely partner to work with,” commented LEGO Icons Senior designer Anderson Ward Grubb. “We have a regular team that we interact with there, who then put us in touch as need be with their team.

We’ve made the space shuttle a lot, so I don’t think we hit anything where we had any real particular technical questions, other than there were two things I wanted their opinion on. One, we’ve never done the tail cone before,” said Anderson, “but it turned out Boeing were the ones who had the better information on the design of that.”

LEGO Icons 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft’s includes a removable brick-built tail cone, which was attached to the real space shuttle to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle during its cross-country flights when attached on top of the Boeing 747.

“And two," Anderson continued, "Boeing also shared with us some of the schematics for the original carrier that I think they had to go get some clearance on to be able to disclose with us.

The other thing that was fun to discuss with [NASA and Boeing], and I was a bit nervous showing them, was the way we wanted the tail cone to come off, because we couldn’t make it hollow to hide the engine.”

In fact, 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft’s opening cargo bay is actually used to store both the model’s detachable engine and landing gear inside when the tail cone is fixed to the back of the space shuttle.

“We need the tail cone to come off and then you put the engine back on," said Anderson. "Of course, that’s not really how the shuttle works,” said Anderson, “and the shuttle bay is not really used to carry the engine and the wheels.

But I showed them this and asked 'what do you guys think about this?' It’s kind of fun for us. It’s a great place to store this stuff while you display the model, but it’s not accurate. And they all loved it! They thought that was very interesting. So both teams were really great to work with.”

LEGO Insiders will be able to get their hands on 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft first from May 15, with a wider launch for everyone else from May 18. The LEGO Icons set will be priced at £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99 and be available from LEGO.com and in LEGO Stores.

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