Today we’re going to look at #60439 Space Science Lab (LEGO City) from both the perspective of an AFOL and through the eyes of the target demographic of younger builders.

I am eager to review this set for two reasons: It’s a cute set, and I’m starting to experiment with having my son build sets by himself and finding a way to include both his impressions and my thoughts in the final review. This is a bit of an experiement, so let’s see how it goes.

First Impressions

Some of the first things that caught my attention were the compact size and the inclusion of four of the clear domed roof elements in a more modestly-priced set. I also noticed the cute alien character whose body uses the same mould as the Grimspawn from LEGO Dreamzzz (but in 1White). We also see two astronauts featuring a retro-futuristic torso print (one using a wheelchair), complete with an orange Classic Space logo. It’s a pretty substantial looking set for the $35 price tag, and especially for the 6+ target audience.

#60439 Space Science Lab – Box Front and Back.

Box Contents

Inside the box we find four numbered bags, a fifth un-numbered bag containing the translucent roof elements, and a cardboard pouch containing the instructions. This was a bit of a surprise since smaller sets usually have the instructions loose in the box.

The box contains four numbered stages and four instruction booklets.

Opening the cardboard pouch reveals why the instructions are not loose in the box — there are four different booklets corresponding to the four numbered bags. I suspect that this was done to make the build process easier for younger builders, but it also has the advantage for parents of making it even easier to stretch out the build process over four days.

• Box Size: 28 × 26 × 7.6 cm (11 × 10 1/4 × 3”)
• Box Weight: 810 g (1.8 lbs)
• Part Count: 560 pieces
• LEGO Parts Weight: 444.0 g (0.98 lbs)
• Weight-per-piece: 0.79 g/piece
• Price per piece: $0.062 per piece
• Price per gram: $0.079 per gram.
• Numbered bags/stages: 4
• Pieces per stage (average): 140 pieces.

Even before we start building, the set feels like a pretty good value with way below $0.10 per-piece, not to mention that sets for a 6+ audience tend to have fewer small pieces to begin with. Let’s get started!

Build Process

The first bag begins with our first astronaut, their wheelchair, and a small ship that they can roll their wheelchair right onto to zoom around the alien planet. (There was a lot of swooshing…) After that, we create the literal and figurative entrance to this model, in the form of the first wall of the research station. It has a door which opens vertically. The build process feels a bit more difficult than your average 6+ set, but my son was able to build it without any help.

The first bag delights with our first minifigure, a swooshable spaceship, and a dramatic main entrance.

In the second bag, we build a smaller wall containing an air-lock that folds down to cover a modular connection where you can attach this set to other sets in the 2024 LEGO Space lineup. This interconnect is based on 1×6×4⅓ Angled Brick w/ Cutout, 4-Pin Holes (Part 49699), which is a relatively uncommon part that was introduced in 2019 and ranks 1673rd place (based on 2019-2023).

1×6×4⅓ Angled Brick w/ Cutout, 4-Pin Holes (Part 49699)

I believe this part was chosen because it works both with Technic sets and with sets like this that rely on studded ‘System’ LEGO bricks. It also has a reliable mechanical connection when Technic pins are attached to any of the four holes around the side. Lastly, we build the alien tree, which has beautiful flowers that use Frog (Part 33320) in 42Bright Reddish VioletMagenta as the blossoms.

Second module features an airlock and alien tree.

Bag 3 adds a second long wall, this one featuring a cozy nook where an astronaut can sleep. I’m not sure what the ring or the other instruments are for, but I bet they are really important tools in the future. The second astronaut has 140Earth BlueDark Blue accents and a coffee mug.

Coffee mug and a sleeping nook.

The fourth and final bag begins with our cute three-eyed alien friend, who has a helment that they can use when they go inside the station since they can’t breathe human air. The last wall of the research station contains an open air-lock with scientific equipment on one side and a battery charging station on the other side. We also build a module that attaches to the air lock containing a docking station for the small spacecraft to charge.

Scientific equipment and a docking station.

All four of the modules snap together using clips to create a square building with an attractive large domed roof. It’s cool to see a completed model that is built out of modules that each offer compelling play features.

Conclusion

This set offers a compelling ‘modular’ building experience in a set aimed at an impressively young audience. While it is a bit more intricate than many 6+ sets, the decision to include a separate instruction booklet for each bag keeps each stage of the build manageable. Our son is below the recommended age but is a very experienced builder, and he did not need our help at any point when building it.

#60439 Space Science Lab – Completed Model.

The real magic is how it all comes together, literally — The four modules snap together with clips on the corners. This makes it easy to close the model up into a complete space station, but it’s also easy to fold it all the way open making the interior look much larger than it really is. While a bit lacking in accessories, the interior has enough distinct zones to encourage a lot of imaginative play with the two astronauts, the alien, the sleeping area, small kitchen, and the iridescent gem inside the alien tree.

Serious building underway…

I could tell this was one of his favorite sets when he wanted to show everyone who came to our house how to open it up and see all the different rooms inside. In particular, he specifically mentioned the main door “because it goes up and down”, and that “every bag is like a different bit of the space station”. Even the smaller details caught his attention such as in Bag 3 when “I think I’m building a bed because they need to sleep somewhere”.

The finished model opens up to create a play scene.