Classic Space

Classic Space is not an official theme in the strict sense but rather a term that refers to the Space sets that were released before 1987 and shared some common characteristics that set them apart from the following Space sets. Most importantly, all Classic Space minifigures featured the old visorless helmets that were eventually ditched in favor of newer helmets with movable visors in 1987. There were also no truly different factions as in the time after 1987. All astronauts of Classic Space were peaceful explorers and there were no antagonist groups.

The initial introduction of the Space theme marks also the beginning of Classic Space.

Overview

Classic Space 1979 — Some of the first *Space* sets in a catalog from 1979.

The first LEGO Space sets were a leap forward in LEGO design. Compared to the LEGO Company's previous releases of spaceflight-related sets 801 Space Rocket (year unknown, probably 1950s) 358 Rocket Base (1973) and 565 Moon Landing (1975) this new theme of sets boasted new parts and building techniques previously unseen. Although plenty of basic bricks were used, there were now parts with finer detail used in smoother-looking ships and multi-purpose vehicles.

Despite curiosities and oddities such as steering wheels used to direct spacecraft, and often no inflight pilot protection other than a spacesuit, simple new constructs sparked builders' imaginations. Starting with spaceships and basic wheeled vehicles, the theme developed, occasionally mirroring science fiction designs. As LEGO Space expanded, the basic pattern of ground-buggies, walking robots, small and large spaceships, and bases emerged.

Early Space sets had a simplistically modern yet colorful charm unrivaled by any other mass-produced science-fiction toy of the time. Many of the theme's more specialized pieces had yet to be developed, although when Space was first introduced, many parts were new, or were older parts made in new colors. Examples of these early simple sets include: 462 Rocket Launcher (1978), 442 Space Shuttle, and 452 Mobile Tracking Station (both 1979).

Perfectly suited for utilitarian LEGO Space, gray had finally become a major color for a LEGO theme, especially as more plate-type parts were made in that color, even before LEGO Castle whose first predominantly grey castles were not introduced until 1984. Most often, gray Space sets were paired with green windows. The other predominant colors were blue with yellow windows. With the introduction of the 6929 Starfleet Voyager in 1981, there were also classic spaceships that appeared in white, with blue canopies, albeit this new colorscheme didn't really catch on until the introduction of Futuron in 1987. The advent of this new theme sounded the bell for the end of theClassic Space era. New parts, most notably the new visored helmets, were introduced as well as a distinct looking adversary faction, but it also reprised several elements of Classic Space such as the colored spacesuits and the concept of civilian space explorers, looking more like a visually updated continuation than a mere replacement.

New sets in the style of Classic Space were still released until 1989. Those sets sported the Futuron colorscheme but still included the old minifigures with their visorless helmets.

Trivia

The Classic Space logo later reappeared in sets of Futuron and Space Police I. It was also featured on several jackets of Town minifigures which first appeared in 4513 Grand Central Station from 2003. The logo of the Mars Mission theme from 2007 seems to be inspired by the Classic Space logo.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Classic Space. A group of Lego fans designed a series of MOCs inspired by Classic Space sets. [1]