Classic Space

Classic Space is a theme introduced in 1978. Classic Space Minifigures featured the old visorless helmets, which were eventually phased out in favor of newer helmets with movable visors in 1987. Classic Space featured peaceful explorers, with no antagonistic groups. The larger flying craft of the Classic Space sets all featured a brick with their set number on it. There were 5 astronaut minifigures, blue, red, white, yellow and black.
The initial introduction of the Space theme marks also the beginning of Classic Space.
== Overview ==
The first LEGO Space sets were a leap forward in LEGO design. Compared to the LEGO Company's previous spaceflight-related sets (801 Space Rocket in 1964, 358 Rocket Base in 1973, and 565 Moon Landing in 1976), this new theme of sets boasted new parts and building techniques never before seen in LEGO sets. Although the theme used plenty of basic bricks, there were now parts with finer detail used in smoother-looking ships and multi-purpose vehicles.
Despite curiosities such as steering wheels used to direct spacecraft, and often no inflight pilot protection other than a spacesuit (with a visorless helmet), 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 colourful 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 colours. Examples of these early simple sets include 462 Rocket Launcher (1978), and 442 Space Shuttle, and 452 Mobile Tracking Station (both 1979).
Perfectly suited for utilitarian LEGO Space, gray had finally become a major colour for a LEGO theme, especially as more plate-type parts were made in that colour, even before LEGO Castle whose first predominantly grey castles were not introduced until 1984. Most often, gray Space sets were paired with green windows, and the other predominant colour scheme was 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 colour scheme 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 the Classic 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 coloured 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 1988, but those sets sported the Futuron colour scheme, although they still included the old minifigures with their visorless helmets.
== Notes ==
* 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. Similarly, a white Classic space astronaut with a jetpack was featured on a tourist's shirt in 8970 Robo Attack. The logo of the Mars Mission theme from 2007 seems to be inspired by the Classic Space logo.
* A minifigure statue included in 5974 Galactic Enforcer from 2009 resembles a Classic Space astronaut, although it does not feature a classic helmet but instead a normal one without visor. The Latin writing on the pedestal says "In annos triginta ad caelum infinitum construxit." ("In thirty years it built to the infinite sky"), commemorating the 30th anniversary of LEGO Space.
* The Classic Space astronaut appeared in LEGO Battles as an unlockable hero unit.
* In Lego Universe, completing all the Crux Prime Achiever missions awards the player with a black Classic Space shirt.
* The Galaxy Patrol from 8831 Minifigures Series 7 has the Classic Space logo on its shoulder pads.
* In The LEGO Movie, there is a Blue Classic Spaceman, named Benny .
== Vehicles and facilities ==
Popular spaceships and vehicles from the Classic Space era include:
497 Galaxy Explorer (1979), 6929 Starfleet Voyager (1980), 6950 Mobile Rocket Transport (1982), 6980 Galaxy Commander (1983), and 6985 Cosmic Fleet Voyager (1986).
The major surface bases were:
493 Space Command Center (1978), 483 Alpha-1 Rocket Base (1979), 6970 Beta-1 Command Base (1980), 6971 Intergalactic Command Base (1984), and 6972 Polaris-I Space Lab (1987).
Baseplates from this era:
306 Landing Plates (1979), and
305 2 Crater Plates (1979)
==== Sets ====
Image	# 	Set 	Pieces 	Minifigure(s) 	Price	Released
 	0012	Space Mini-Figures 	12 	Red Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	0013	Space Mini-Figures 	12 	White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	0014	Space Mini-Figures 	12 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	0015	Space Mini-Figuers 	16 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	1498	Spy-Bot 	66 	None 	 	1987
 	1499	Twin Starfire 	85 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1987
 	1507	Space Value Pack 	89 	Black Classic SpacemanRed Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	1510	Unnamed Bonus Pack 	151 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1987
 	1526	Space Radar Buggy 	Unknown	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986 (unreleased)
 	1557	Space Scooter 	25 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	1558	Mobile Command Trailer 	64 	Black Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	1580	Lunar Scout 	67 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	1593	Lever Bros Space Set 	313 	Red Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1983
 	1968	Space Express 	177 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	1969	Space Value Pack 	151 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	1977	Space Value Pack 	82 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1983
 	1983	Space Value Pack 	97 	Blue Classic SpacemanRed Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	1999	Space Value Pack 	89 	Red Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	305 	2 Crater Plates 	2 	None 	 	1979
 	306 	Landing Plates 	2 	None 	 	1979
 	442 	Space Shuttle 	35 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	452 	Mobile Tracking Station 	65 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	453 	Crater Plates 	2 	None 	 	1979
 	454 	Landing Plates 	2 	None 	 	1979
 	462 	Rocket Launcher 	60 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1978
 	483 	Alpha-1 Rocket Base 	170 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	487 	Space Cruiser 	155 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	493 	Space Command Center 	161 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1978
 	497 	Galaxy Explorer 	325 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	5034	Replacement Light & Sound 1x2 Lighting Brick with Coloured Globes	5 	None 	 	1987
 	6702	Space Mini-Figures 	56 	Blue Classic SpacemanBlack Classic SpacemanRed Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6750	Sonic Robot 	103 	Blue Classic SpacemanRed Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6770	Lunar Transporter Patroller 	118 	Yellow Futuron Astronaut 	 	1988
 	6780	XT Spaceship 	201 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6783	Sonar Transmitting Cruiser 	345 	Red Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6801	Rocket Sled 	21 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6802	Space Probe 	20 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6803	Space Patrol 	23 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1983
 	6804	Surface Rover 	16 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6805	Astro Dasher 	26 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6806	Surface Hopper 	16 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6807	Space Scooter with Robot 	23 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6808	Galaxy Trekkor 	31 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1987
 	6809	XT-5 and Droid 	37 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1988
 	6820	Starfire I 	32 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6821	Shovel Buggy 	32 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1980
 	6822	Space Shuttle 	32 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6823	Surface Transport 	25 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1983
 	6824	Space Dart-I 	43 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6825	Cosmic Comet 	37 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6826	Crater Crawler 	26 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6827	Strata Scooter 	28 	Blue Classic Spaceman 	 	1987
 	6841	Mineral Detector 	44 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1980
 	6842	Shuttle Craft 	44 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6844	Seismologic Vehicle 	40 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1983
 	6845	Cosmic Charger 	48 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6846	Tri-Star Voyager 	66 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6847	Space Dozer 	47 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6848	Interplanetary Shuttle 	50 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6849	Satellite Patroller 	39 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1987
 	6861	X-1 Patrol Craft 	53 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1980
 	6870	Space Probe Launcher 	52 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6871	Star-Patrol Launcher 	66 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6872	Lunar Patrol Craft 	85 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6874	Moon Rover 	63 	Red Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6880	Surface Explorer 	80 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1982
 	6881	Lunar Rocket Launcher 	94 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6882	Walking Astro Grappler 	86 	Black Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6883	Terrestrial Rover 	99 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1987
 	6890	Cosmic Cruiser 	111 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1982
 	6891	Gamma-V Laser Craft 	132 	Black Classic SpacemanRobot 	 	1985
 	6892	Modular Space Transport 	141 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1986
 	6901	Mobile Lab 	135 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1980
 	6926	Mobile Recovery Vehicle 	147 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1986
 	6927	All-Terrain Vehicle 	167 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6928	Uranium Search Vehicle 	196 	Black Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6929	Starfleet Voyager 	243 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1981
 	6930	Space Supply Station 	200 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1983
 	6931	FX-Star Patroller 	218 	Yellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1985
 	6940	Alien Moon Stalker 	259 	Blue Classic SpacemanRed Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	6950	Mobile Rocket Transport 	202 	Yellow Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1982
 	6951	Robot Command Centre 	278 	Black Classic SpacemanRed Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6952	Solar Power Transporter 	299 	Black Classic SpacemanBlue Classic SpacemanWhite Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman	 	1985
 	6970	Beta-1 Command Base 	254 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1980
 	6971	Intergalactic Command Base 	312 	Black Classic SpacemanBlue Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1984
 	6972	Polaris-I Space Lab 	386 	Blue Classic Spaceman (3) 	 	1987
 	6980	Galaxy Commander 	427 	Red Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1983
 	6985	Cosmic Fleet Voyager 	400 	Black Classic SpacemanRed Classic SpacemanWhite Classic SpacemanYellow Classic Spaceman 	 	1986
 	885 	Space Scooter 	19 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1978
 	886 	Space Buggy 	23 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	889 	Radar Truck 	23 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	891 	Two-Man Scooter 	35 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	894 	Tracking Station 	65 	White Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	897 	Launcher 	60 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1978
 	918 	Space Transport 	85 	Red Classic Spaceman 	 	1978
 	920 	Launch Pad 	170 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	924 	Transporter 	155 	Red Classic SpacemanWhite Classic Spaceman 	 	1979
 	926 	Command Centre 	161 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
 	928 	Galaxy Explorer 	325 	Red Classic Spaceman (2)White Classic Spaceman (2) 	 	1979
== Minifigures ==
== Gallery ==
Remote Classic Space.png|A remote-controlled Classic Space vehicle prototype from 1985.
== Sources ==
* BZPower Forums
== External links ==
* Classic-space.com Community centred on LEGO Space
* Neo Classic Space 30th anniversary fan project
Category:Space
 
Category:Themes introduced in 1978