When LEGO announced the Artemis Space Launch System (10341) as part of the Icons series, we knew this would be a centrepiece, not just for AFOL collectors, but for LEGO Cities, families, and museum builds everywhere. Inspired by NASA’s Artemis program, the real-world follow-up to Apollo, this towering tribute to modern space exploration delivers a vertical spectacle and deep play potential.
And, as always, we built it where we build everything: around the big kitchen table at Redmond’s Forge.
📦 The Build: Piece by Piece Toward the Stars
With 3,981 pieces, this is a build that invites you to slow down and savour the experience.
Darren handled the base stages and tower while Luke, now seven and full of questions about boosters and space fuel, helped with the rocket stages and minifig shuttle bay. Rose, aged four, mostly stole the astronaut minifigs and made them do dances on the launch pad. That’s space training, right?
From bag one, it’s clear this set is a love letter to engineering. The crawler transport vehicle alone is a masterclass in detailed movement mechanics, with rotating treads and realistic lift mechanisms. The Mobile Launcher Platform connects directly to a multi-level support tower that includes gangways, fuel lines, and a finely rendered swing arm.
🧠 Design Brilliance: From Earth to the Moon in LEGO Bricks
What makes this set special isn’t just its size (it stands over 70 cm tall), but its modular storytelling.
- The rocket breaks into three stages, true to the SLS (Space Launch System) architecture.
- Inside, there’s a crew capsule, service module, and cargo hold.
- The launch tower detaches just like the real one, and looks stunning beside LEGO City skyscrapers.
- An Artemis I commemorative plaque adds that Icons touch of real-world homage.
The build’s flow is intuitive, but not repetitive, a nice change from some vertically stacked sets. There’s an authentic sense of ascending complexity, mimicking the way NASA missions build layer upon layer of technology.
👨👧👦 Family Building Time: Questions, Laughter, and Launches
For families, this set is pure magic.
Luke asked whether Artemis had landed on the moon yet (not yet, but planned), while Rose decided that the rocket needed a “kitty astronaut” and placed a mini-figure cat inside the Orion capsule. Darren, who built the LEGO Saturn V years ago, couldn’t help but smile: “That’s the future of exploration right there.”
The build took us about 8 hours across two evenings, with tea, popcorn, and the occasional heated argument over who got to place the flame pieces.
🌌 Display Potential: A Vertical Masterpiece
Once complete, the Artemis Space Launch System becomes a visual centrepiece:
- Height: Towering enough to rival any modular building.
- Colour palette: Orange fuel tanks, white rocket body, and grey scaffolding create NASA-level authenticity.
- Play/display balance: The crawler base lets kids move the rocket around the city, while the stability of the tower ensures it’s safe on a high shelf.
We’ve placed ours at the edge of Redmond’s Forge LEGO City, near the Motorized Lighthouse and Daily Bugle, a symbolic nod to the blend of science and imagination.
🔧 Hidden Highlights
- Technic lift mechanisms in the base are satisfyingly tactile.
- Minifigures include 2 astronauts, 1 engineer, and 1 mission commander with accurate NASA-style suits.
- QR code inside the instruction manual links to real-world Artemis mission facts — great for STEM learners!
🛒 Value for Money
- RRP: €249.99 / $259.99
- LEGO Insiders price: Occasionally drops to €219.99 with points
- Piece-to-price ratio: Excellent (6.3 cents per piece), especially for a licensed NASA collaboration
- Build experience: Premium, detailed, educational
📊 Set Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set Number | 10341 |
| Theme | LEGO Icons / NASA |
| Piece Count | 3,981 pieces |
| Release Date | May 18 2024 |
| RRP | €249.99 / $259.99 |
| Height (assembled) | Over 70 cm / ~28 inches |
| Main Build Elements | Artemis rocket, crawler, launch tower |
| Minifigures | 4: 2 Astronauts, 1 Engineer, 1 Mission Cmdr |
| Recommended Age | 18+ (but very family-friendly build) |
| Display Style | Vertical, modular, premium display piece |
| Play Features | Detachable stages, movable crawler, rotating arms |
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Incredible vertical display presence | ❌ Requires significant vertical space to display |
| ✅ Deeply educational – perfect for STEM conversations | ❌ Some small elements may frustrate very young builders |
| ✅ Smooth build flow across stages – no major repetition | ❌ Not ideal for swooshable play (not designed for heavy handling) |
| ✅ Stunning detailing on the launch tower and crawler system | ❌ Could feel pricey for non-space fans |
| ✅ Fits beautifully into LEGO Cities or Space Museums | |
| ✅ Realistic NASA-inspired modular rocket engineering | |
| ✅ High value per piece & great collector’s appeal |
🧑🚀 Verdict: A 10/10 Launch
LEGO Icons 10341 Artemis Space Launch System isn’t just a set, it’s a statement. For AFOLs, it’s an engineering marvel. For families, it’s an inspirational, hands-on way to talk about space exploration. For kids like Luke and Rose, it’s a springboard for imaginative missions and storytelling.
We’ll be honest: this might be the best LEGO Space set since the Saturn V, and a must-have for any LEGO Space City or display room with a sci-fi or STEM edge.
If you’ve got the space, build it, display it, and dream upwards.
🖼️ Coming Up Next…
Stay tuned for our next post: a build diary from LEGO Ninjago 71814 Tournament Temple.