Planetary Outpost

1978 heralded a momentous event in the annals of Lego history: the minifigures, who had only just appeared onto the scene, were catapulted into amazing adventures on the very fringes of outer space.

For a time, it seemed these intrepid yellow-skinned explorers would venture forever into the deepest uncharted corners of the galactic unknown.

But it was not to be. Legokind retreated back to Earth, and aside from a handful of less ambitious missions, like the recent 31066, none actually held a candle to the original era of interplanetary colonisation.

These bases now lie mostly abandoned and forgotten, save for some fervent nostalgic veterans… Until now.

A Return to Space, Fit for the 21st Century

In order to mark the fortieth anniversary in style, our team of intrepid scientists and designers at Captain Mutant Corporation are hoping to convince the Lego engineers to go back to what they did do well in the last century: spark the boundless imagination of countless children (and not so children) as they boldly go back into their own science-fiction franchise. We submit Planetary Outpost for your consideration.

Heavily inspired in its design by the bases of old, this new exploratory habitat is nonetheless built for the 21st century. We’ve even redesigned the uniforms and space suits, to herald a new chapter in the colonisation of our solar system - and beyond.

The base itself features a fully enclosed structure with three airlocks. All inner doors are manually operated sliding doors through a series of gear mechanisms. The rotating and tilting solar panels and communications array can be removed from their rooftop locations and placed in more desirable locations elsewhere on the surface of your new world.

As for those “super gross hands that look like they’re made of big sausages, like eagle talon mixed with squid”, they can have easy access to the inside, either through hinged or rotating walls, or by removing the roof. 

Modular Colonisation

Perhaps be biggest innovation of this new Planetary Outpost is its modular design: because you never know what to expect with each new missions, and what your crew will need, it was imperative for its construction to be as versatile as possible. Which is why all rooms can be assembled into a total of five different configurations (there will be some leftover spare parts with each redesign, but our lead architect has done their best to keep that to a minimum):

- command centre and storage facility;
- galley, rec room and entertainment centre;
- crew quarters;
- sick bay and research lab;
- workshop and office.

Depending on the extent of the assignment, and mission control’s budget, there is the option of sending the crew out with multiple modules, thereby creating a versatile and unique base meeting their specific requirements.

Having multiple modules is one thing, but having to don a spacesuit to go from one to another would be highly impractical most of the time. Which is why the airlocks are designed to be easily removed, and the modules can be connected to one another directly, forming unique sprawling bases, wherever they’re set up.

Each module also comes with two buggies, a trailer, and the latest in robotic artificial intelligence.

Versatile Crew Selection

In order to offer as much flexibility as possible for each mission, you can select your three crew members, from a choice of fifteen, giving you a unique team each time you venture forth into the dark unknown. [three bodies, four heads and fifteen hair pieces are included.]

The aim of each mission is exploration and to further Legokind knowledge. It is highly likely that our valiant crew may encounter new minerals and crystals worth mining and analysing during their survey of their new world, which is why each module comes standard with all the excavation tools they need, including mining lasers. Some of these new compounds may even contain new forms of life. Hopefully none of it will be contagious…

Will your team have what it takes to explore, research, and survive in these new adventures, and finally return minifigs to their rightful place as a spacefaring species?

The Future of Space Exploration Needs Your Help

Maybe if enough of you think so, you can let the Lego Congress know by supporting this project. If enough of you do, they may agree that it is time to expand the space budget once again and venture back into the frontier of space colonisation, with Planetary Outpost.

The proposed materials for this outpost, including all parts for the vehicles, tools, robot, mining locations and crew options numbers under 1,999.

Thanks for your help and support. Comments are especially welcome :)

You can see additional photos of Planetary Outpost by visiting my Flickr page.

If you wish to learn more about Planetary Outpost's creation, please visit my blog.

Captain Mutant out.