ISS Modifications

Stand Tilt

Grant Passmore – original post
Photo of ISS with the stand’s upper rail tilted to show off some of the detail at the back which is pretty well hidden when the model is displayed level. This does bring the weight of the model forward so I added some wing plates I had to the bottom. It may be possible to rearrange the set’s stand to give some extra forward support. (The two curved bricks at back of the stand aren’t needed with the model tilted).

Modified Russian section

Nicholas Tucker – original post
Instructions by Luca Peccatori
IO file by Luca Peccatori
I’ve been strategically hiding the Russian segment on my ISS at home because it’s easily the weakest part of the set in my opinion, but that doesn’t really do those modules justice. So, I whipped together a new one that I like more.
The Pirs, Poisk, and Rassevet modules are entirely Dan Fallon’s design, Zarya took inspiration from Andor Schindler’s MIR, and the Soyuz is mostly based on u/Kehu05’s.
I haven’t purchased bricks to test structural stability but the parts are all in available colors and I will probably buy them at some point. Feedback and suggestions welcome!

Radiators

Grant Passmore – original post
Downloadable PDF
The ISS set used large thin panels as the cooling system for each pair of solar panels. In reality these are narrow fan-fold panels similar to the larger station panels included in the set. The mod does require some extra parts and a rebuild of the arm but I have kept the design as close to the original as I could. They will rotate so you can turn the arms 180 degrees and still have the fan-fold on top.

Dextre

Adam Wilde – Original post
IO File
Finished Dextre MOC design for the 21321 ISS. I’ve reduced the height (losing the wasp waist of the previous build unfortunately) as much as possible, but it’s still out-size for the scale. Can be built with either the original ORU Temporary Platform (OTP) as launched on STS-123 in March 2008, or the later Enhanced OTP (EOTP) installed during STS-132 in May 2010. Includes three bottom clip attachment options, depending on how/where you want to position it. Also works attached to the end of the ISS’s Canadarm. Studio file is in the Files section, but the build should be self-explanatory from the renders, I think.

Parts list:
OTP build
2 x 4733 (white)
2 x 85861 (white) or 1 x 85861 plus 1 x 4073
1 x 87994 (white)
2 x 30377 (white)
3 x 20482 (white)
1 x 11253 (light bluish grey)
1 x 48729b (light bluish grey)
EOTP build
Omit 48729b and replace with…
1 x 6019 (white)
1 x 54200 (white)
Attachment options (one of the following)
1 x 15712 (white)
or 1 x 6019 (white)
or 1 x 4085d (white)
or none of the above if fitting to the Canadarm

Soyuz

Adam Wilde – original post
I think the most disappointing aspect of the 21321 ISS for me is the rendition of the Soyuz/Progress spacecraft. At least the Shuttle, bizarrely undersized as it is, looks like itself and is broadly of the right proportions. (Given that it’s retired, I’m not even sure it was ever intended by Lego to be docked/in scale – more just there for the display on the base for old times’ sake.)
In comparison, the Soyuz feels like it’s been designed by someone who’s never seen one but has had it described to them over a bad phone connection. The Descent Module is absent, the length is wrong, the wingspan is grossly out of proportion to the length and the solar panels are ridiculously oversized. And it’s a shame Lego didn’t go for a new DBG colour in the ball with axle hole, as the black is incongruous. The only positive I can think of is that the solar panel *printing* is nice.
Given that we’re stuck with black Orbital Modules, I’ve had a stab at a ‘better’ Soyuz. The white brick is a 6541 technic one with hole. It would of course be much nicer if there was a 1×2 solar panel printed tile.
At 3.4 cm long without the bar, this version is dead-on for length at 1:220 scale (7.48 m IRL) but the span is a bit too wide 5.4 cm vs ideal of 4.86 (10.7 m IRL).
Version on left is for docking. Version on right is for swooshing (the ball is held on using an ‘ice cream cone’ piece).
Has anyone else had a go at improving the Soyuz?

Cygnus

Damian Bailey – Original post
Downloadable PDF
Cygnus captured by ISS. A very simple 12-piece model at 1:220 scale to complement the awesome Lego ISS.

Axiom

Grant Passmore – Original post
Not yet a reality on the station but Axiom Space have been selected by NASA to build a ‘space home’ the first module is scheduled for launch in 2024. Here are some build instructions for the planned modules as detailed on the Axiom Space website. It is shown attached to the front of the ISS – remove the ‘Fez’ docking adaptor and connect to the round plate with stud. Of course plans could (or probably will) change and this may need updating to match what eventually is built.

Shuttle Stand

Damian Bailey – Original post
A simple stand for a 1:220 shuttle. This stand should work for any model which is 21 studs long – if shorter then additional 1×2 trans-clear plates can be added in Step 4. Remove the centre 1×1 plate from the existing ISS stand and replace it with this; physically built but in colours I had in the house!

Visiting Craft

Kevin Huang – original post (rebrickable)
Designed after seeing the inaccuracies of those included in the set. Kudos to u/silentdawn03 for making instructions.

1:220 scale shuttle

Grant passmore – original post
LXF File
There are a couple of versions of 1:220 scale Space Shuttles on already.
As other people were already designing shuttles for the ISS I originally designed this just for my own build. However, I know this will dock with the ISS with just a minor mod and small addition to the stand so thought it was worth sharing.
Notes:
Hinged payload bay uses the design in the Lego Shuttle transporter set – just shorted to get the overall length to scale.
The two 1×2 with rail pieces should be connected studs into the two holes in the 1×2 bricks but LDD won’t allow it. May not be a strictly legal connection but works..
The two black engine blocks on the sides of the nose are only held on by one stud – fine for a display piece, not so great for playability.
The two 1×2 plates with rails under the tail piece should be fitted after the hinges. The rails go into the hinge space to limit the movement.

1:220 scale shuttle

Dan Fallon – Original post
IO File
Throwing my hat in the ring for doing a 220 scale shuttle for the new ISS set. Still a WIP but it’s been a fun little project.

1:220 scale shuttle

Adam Wilde – original post
IO File
Another day, another hat in the ring with a (work in progress) 1:220 Shuttle. Adapted from Grant Passmore’s version with some changes around the nose area, payload bay, OMS pods, engines, rear umbilical points and a couple of other minor details.
Matches Damian Bailey’s calculations for correct length (less 0.4 of a stud, which could be fixed with a plate behind the truncated nose cone) and width.

1:220 scale shuttle

Damian Bailey – PDF Instructions
IO File
v2 of my 1:220 shuttle instructions. One change to the shuttle (addition of a 2×2 round plate) and I’ve added instructions for a simple adjustment to the existing ISS stand. This stand should work for any 1:220 shuttle which is 21 studs long.
Credit to everyone who has contributed to the ISS scale shuttle debate, but especially to Dan Fallon, Grant Passmore and Adam Wilde who have all created their own outstanding designs and shared them with the community.