LEGO to be launched into space

Just when you thought LEGO couldn't get any bigger (like we did recently), they're only going to go and send LEGO figures into space.

So, apparently NASA loves LEGO (one explanation could be the fact that they're both made up of four capital letters) and on an upcoming trip to Jupiter they're bringing some special little guys with them.

Three, possibly frightened, figurines will be attached to the Atlas V rocket as it sets off on its five year journey. The models have been designed to resemble Roman gods Juno and Jupiter (get it?!) and astronomer Galileo. When we say resemble, we mean it fairly loosely. They're LEGO people after all.

They're made from fancy aluminium, rather than plastic, and cost $5,000 each. The bill's being taken care of by LEGO as they're hoping it will help promote children's interest in STEM (The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Coalition - you know the one right?) programs. The figurines have been carefully designed not to interfere with any of the probe's instruments. Priorities, after all.

You can track their progress here.

Image: Rex