Neo Classic Space

Today we delve deep into the far reaches of Federation space, to Ben Jarvis's Omega 5 research station, where federation researchers analyse signals from the farthest reaches of space.

It's a lonely outpost but highly productive, away from the destractions and interference of Federation politics. It takes a special breed of scientist to endure the long duration stays so far from day-to-day contact with anyone other than their fellow researchers. Yet those who volunteer say they enjoy the peace and tranquility.

Ben says: The thing that always excited me about the space themed LEGO when I was a kid was the sense of adventure and exploration that it embodied. Always being a sci-fi/space geek it was always easy to use just a little imagination to cast your little plastic space adventurers to the farthest corners of some distant galaxy without ever leaving your bedroom.

Today Paul Hanson takes us deep into space, exploring new frontiers with the recon teams.

The LL-932 Deep-Space Recon is used when a large area of space must be surveyed quickly, or when you'd like a closer look at a distant sensor target. Three massive engines allow it to move quickly, and a powerful sensor array is incorporated into the large tail assembly.

It is crewed by a pilot and a sensor tech. A special ground support vehicle allows it to refuel quickly (those big engines are quite thirsty).

Paul describes the build: I wanted to build in the style of my original Neo-Classic Space creations from 2006, so I reused much of the building technique and detail of those. I smoothed out the bottom and upgraded the landing gear, but overall it's a pretty straightforward build.

Another bonus from Nnenn, the LL-711 Bomber displays some fantastic angles and impressive guns.

A little more of the Ugokin threat is also revealed.

As we continue our well rounded tour of the federation, Moritz Nolting brings us to some of the men and women who keep the Federation ticking over from day to day.

This is dedicated to the hard working staff of spacemen who keep the federation up and running behind the scenes. Huge moonbases, exploration outposts and rocket launching ramps are pretty cool, but someone has to build them first.

The LL-192 Orbit Hauler is a mid-sized, mid-range cargo freighter, designed to carry heavy loads of prefab construction material like walls, platform segments and the like. It is not particularly sleek, nor fast, nor armed and certainly not a beauty to behold. But then, hauling giant piles of space concrete isn't exactly flower arranging, is it? Most Orbit Haulers have been in service for several decades, their everlasting double polonium thrusters being practically indestructable.

Continuing our journey through Federation space, we come to Adrian Drake's Mobile Intergalactic Rocket Command, a key piece of infrustructure for new colonies that need to get a lot of infrastructure into orbit, but don't have the resources in place to set up a more permanent rocket base.

The MIRC, or Mobile Intergalactic Rocket Command, and its crew of 6 are tasked to go anywhere and launch anything at any time.  With a sealed cockpit and double airlock, the crewmembers can come and go with ease and are not saddled by cumbersome air tanks and helmets while at launch controls.  The balloon tires and suspension system guarantee clearance over any obstacle.

Some of the Federation's vehicles have some pretty strange poser sources, but clockwork? This Moonmech by Shannon Spoule was announced along with other efforts to save power.

However, it has largely been dismissed as a publicity stunt, and for some reason the spacemen's union have claimed it doesn't meet health and safety standards.

As we all know, Space isn't all flying around in cool ships and destroying Aliens. Somebody HAS to do some work, and Rhys Knight introduces us to just the place for it.

Starbase LL-059 is a deep space 'way station' a sort of intergalactic rest stop, providing weary travellers a place to refuel there ships and them selves. They are also deep space monitoring stations, searching the spacelanes for any threat from asteroids, space junk and even invasion!

They are formed from a central core, constructed in space dock. with additional mission specific upgrade 'pods'. LL-059 currently has three 'habitation' pods and a refueling pod, and will be expanded in the next few years to accomodate larger habitation and better defences.

With the Ugokin threat mounting on Federation borders, something needed to be done to beef up defences. The RTN-44 Missile Jeep was just one of a series of measuers to assure colonists that they would be protected.

When the Ugokin Devastators appear on the horizon, they proved to be the only effective defense.

Sometimes cool things happen when a new twist is added to an existing design.

Doug Idle has done just that with his Classic Space Speeders based upon an earlier design by Flickr user 'Jay (see here), which in turn is based upon an even earlier design by Nick Kappatos (pictured in Keith Goldman's Brickshelf folder).

I think they are an adorable way for our spacemen to hop around their base. It also looks like great fun - I want a real one!

Although some criticise the Classic Space Federation for being too militaristic, its leaders insist its primary goals are peaceful co-operation and exploration. At the forefront of exploration missions is Chris Giddins' LL-700 Cosmic Explorer.

The LL-700 Cosmic Explorer is a long range exploration vessel carrying science teams, equipment and supplies to the outermost rim of space exploration.  Equipped with 2 heavy Quantumcore Drives, the 700CE is fast and nimble for it's size.  Even though it is designed as a science vessel, the CE can be used for cargo runs, military resupply, and troop deployment.  The LL-702 Lunar Defender was specifically designed to be transported in the 700CE-s cargo bay standard.