LEGO Set 10497: Galaxy Explorer

This 2022 set is a modern remake of the venerable original Galaxy Explorer from 1979. This set was a pure joy to build: all printed parts (no stickers), clever build techniques, fun and interesting details, etc. It is clear that the designer had a real appreciation for the source material.

My build of LEGO set 10497 a large gray and blue spaceship with transparent yellow canopies sitting on a cutting mast

The result is a beautiful large spaceship with many fun features.

Closeup of the cockpit of LEGO set 10497 showing four astronauts seated under a large transparent yellow canopy

The revised cockpit with its beautiful large canopy seats all four astronauts (the original could seat two).

Closeup of the midsection of the Galaxy Explorer with two astronauts lying in beds and a third standing before a computer terminal

The midsection of the ship (under a second large canopy) holds two beds with mounted display screens and two computer terminals.

Closeup of the open airlock with sliding door. A red astronaut stands on the other side of the airlock doorway

A sliding airlock door separates the midsection from the rear cargo area.

A LEGO astronaut drives a small gray rover while another astronaut looks on

The rear cargo area opens up to reveal a ramp that deploys a small rover just like the original.

Two copies of LEGO set 10497 Galaxy Explorer side-by-side on a cutting mat

This is actually my second copy of the new Galaxy Explorer. I will disassemble one of them to build the first alternate model, a replica of the midsize Space Cruiser)

Two piles of loose vintage LEGO pieces (predominately gray and blue) on two baseplates with four astronaut minifigures posed around them. These are the pieces for the original Galaxy Explorer, set 497 from 1979

But first I'm going to rebuild the 1979 original Galaxy Explorer, which I have built previously.