Toys Inspired by the Space Shuttle
Learning about spaceflight couldn't be more fun with these Shuttle inspired toys.
By Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Playing With the Shuttle
Generations of children learned about the Space Shuttle program through play, launching their own orbiters into the imaginary skies.
Space Shuttle Construction SetSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Builders could use this construction set to create their own Space Shuttle. The final assembled orbiter had the official NASA emblem as well as the United States flag and the name, Discovery.
These two Space Shuttle flying models were built by L.M. Cox and are based on NASA's early designs of the Space Shuttle.
The plastic models used solid propellant rocket motors to launch the craft into the air. A parachute helped the rockets land safely back on Earth so that they could be used again.
This wooden Space Shuttle toy made by Plan Toys, USA greatly simplified the familiar reusable space vehicle to make it more playable for young hands. The black cockpit and white vertical stabilizer as well as delta wings with the United States flags on them suggest the original vehicle's distinctive coloring.
This “NASA Space Crew" doll set includes a doll and accessories in a play backpack. The doll resembles a well-known girls' plaything and comes with a NASA suitcase and blue flight suit.
This set of collectible STS-96 commemorative cards marked the flight of the Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from May 27-June 6, 1999. The mission was the first shuttle flight to dock with the ISS.
Small hands could "launch" this Fisher-Price Space Shuttle into orbit with accompanying mini astronaut.
This model shows the Space Shuttle in its final configuration, from the late 1990s onward. The earlier paint scheme on the wings and body was revised, and the round NASA "meatball" logo replaced the curvy NASA "worm" logo. The model depicts the orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket boosters mated for launch.
Small Stuff Space ShuttleSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
This plastic Space Shuttle playset was made by Tomy Toys of Japan. Rather than creating a unified orbiter, the set separated the vehicle into different components that could be assembled in various ways. The result was a versatile toy that could incorporate some or all of the pieces in play. The white main body and cockpit echo the original coloring and general shape of the actual reusable space vehicle.
Brio Space ShuttleSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
This Brio Space Shuttle toy reinterpreted the familiar reusable space vehicle in the process of making it playable for young hands.
This cardboard flag is an accessory for Astronaut Barbie issued by Mattel in 1985.
