Scientific American Editors Build Saturn V Rocket LEGO Set

In the early morning hours of July 16, 1969, technicians at the Kennedy Space Center loaded upward of 750,000 gallons of fuel into the 363-foot Saturn V rocket that would successfully propel the Apollo 11 spacecraft toward the moon. It would be one of 13 Saturn V launches between 1967 and 1973. This vehicle remains the tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket ever in operation. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Saturn Vs famous flight, this months column focuses on all things Apollo 11. As for the rocket, pick up this 3.3-foot-high feat of LEGO engineering, which includes three removable stages, as well as the lunar lander and command module. Even with 1,969 pieces (get it?), it is by no means the largest LEGO set ever created, but its a handsome and fun tribute to one of NASAs most accomplished workhorses of space travel.

Thumbnail graphics credit: NASA