If your family loves LEGO and space exploration in equal measure, this set is one to know about: the Women of NASA Space LEGO set, a fan-designed build celebrating four trailblazing women who helped shape America’s space programme.
The set began as an idea submitted to LEGO Ideas by Maia Weinstock, a science editor and writer with a long-standing interest in space exploration and the history of women in science and engineering. Her submission gathered the 10,000 supporter votes needed to be considered for production.
As Weinstock explained in her original pitch: “Women have played critical roles throughout the history of the U.S. space program, a.k.a. NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Yet in many cases, their contributions are unknown or under-appreciated — especially as women have historically struggled to gain acceptance in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”
Who’s in the set?
This fan-designed LEGO set features four pioneering women who made major contributions to the U.S. space programme:
Margaret Hamilton, computer scientist: While working at MIT under contract with NASA in the 1960s, Hamilton developed the on-board flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon. She is credited with popularising the modern concept of software engineering.
Sally Ride, astronaut, physicist, and educator: A physicist by training, Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 and remains one of the best-known female astronauts. After leaving NASA, she founded an educational company focused on encouraging children — especially girls — to pursue the sciences.
Nancy Grace Roman, astronomer: One of the first female executives at NASA, Roman is known to many as the “Mother of Hubble” for her role in planning the Hubble Space Telescope. She also developed NASA’s astronomy research programme.
Mae Jemison, astronaut, physician, and entrepreneur: Trained as a medical doctor, Jemison became the first African-American woman in space in 1992. After leaving NASA, she founded a company developing new technologies and encouraging students in the sciences.
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What’s in the box
The set, designed by LEGO fan and science writer Maia Weinstock, includes 231 pieces: minifigures of all four women, plus buildable models of the Hubble Space Telescope and a space shuttle. It’s a lovely one for shelf display as well as hands-on play.
Weinstock had originally hoped to include mathematician Katherine Johnson — best known for calculating and verifying spacecraft trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo programmes, including the Apollo 11 mission that first landed humans on the moon, and later portrayed in the film Hidden Figures. LEGO was unable to secure permission for her inclusion in the final set.
Weinstock has spoken about why representation like this matters, saying it’s “critical to have toys that girls can look at and play with and think, ‘that’s me!’ or ‘that could be me!’… I also just hope that girls and boys will take away from it the sense that women belong in engineering, in mathematics. I hope in some small way it helps to inspire the kids of the future!”
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Whether you’re building it together on a rainy afternoon or using the minifigures as a springboard for a chat about women in STEM, it’s a set with a story worth telling. What do you think of the Women of NASA LEGO set? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is featured in the Women of NASA LEGO set?
The set includes minifigures of Margaret Hamilton (computer scientist), Sally Ride (astronaut and physicist), Nancy Grace Roman (astronomer), and Mae Jemison (astronaut and physician).
Who designed the set?
Science writer and LEGO fan Maia Weinstock designed the set and submitted it through LEGO Ideas, where it received enough public support to move into development.
How many pieces does the set have?
The set contains 231 pieces, including four minifigures, a buildable Hubble Space Telescope, and a space shuttle model.
Why isn’t Katherine Johnson included?
Weinstock originally proposed including mathematician Katherine Johnson, but LEGO was unable to obtain the necessary permission for her inclusion in the final product.
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