Check out these space images:

Space Needle

Image by bochalla
One of Seattle’s main attractions isn’t too far from where we live. I snapped this as David and I were walking to Whole Foods today, about five minutes from home.

Space foods

Image by matsuyuki

Lego Space Classic minifigures

Image by InSapphoWeTrust
The Space theme was one of Lego’s first three, alongside the Town and the Castle, introduced in 1978. All three themes featured human-shaped minifigures to populate their respective worlds. While minifigures have gone through many changes over the years, the basic physical design has remained the same, ensuring compatibility and ability to remix.

The classic Space sets, which were released through 1988, were populated by astronaut minifigures. Looking rather identical except for their suit colors, they were very iconic, and are among the most produced minifigure designs in history. Long after the classic Space sets were discontinued, these astronaut minifigures remain very sought after and beloved.

Red and White were the initial offerings; Red was usually seen driving or flying a vehicle, while White was the technical expert operating rocket guidance controls and other systems. In 1979, Yellow started appearing, though its use in full-fledged sets would not happen until 1982 when some new Space sets and elements were introduced. Black and Blue were the last to be introduced, in 1984, when Space sets went through a significant redesign.

According to brickset.com database, Red appeared in 44 different sets, White in 35, Yellow in 27, Blue in 12, and Black in only 8.

Some minifigure collection themes, and other Lego products (including a minifigure display kit), in recent years have also featured re-issues of these astronaut minifigures. However, they differ by having a more modern helmet design, as well as a different facial expression. Classic Space only offered the classic smiley – two dots for eyes, one parenthesis for mouth – seen on these minifigures, and the classic smiley was the only available minifigure face throughout the entire Lego catalog until 1989.