Reimagining the Mars Research Shuttle: 22 Inspiring Alternate Builds for LEGO Set 60226-1

From the moment you unpack the Mars Research Shuttle, a world of possibility unfurls before you. Picture the burnished red plains of the Red Planet, where this sleek shuttle once glided amidst bristling antennae and solar panels. Now imagine taking those same elements—those vibrant wheels, those angular panels, and that unmistakable cockpit—and weaving them into machines that range from nimble exploration buggies to hulking cargo trucks. In the hands of a creative builder, every piece becomes a potential pivot point: a stabilizer arm transforms into the crane of a mobile research station; a detachable rocket module becomes the heart of a proto-mech bristling with weaponry; even the shuttle’s streamlined nose cone can be reborn as a high-speed racer racing across Martian dust trails.

This blog delves deep into the hidden potential of Set 60226-1, showcasing 22 fan-designed MOCs that demonstrate what’s possible when imagination meets a well-stocked parts bin. Whether you crave the industrial efficiency of a cargo shuttle D-model, the pint-sized charm of a mini Mars rover dubbed “SpaceBat,” or the towering presence of a Jabberwocky-inspired mech, there’s something here to awaken the explorer in every LEGO enthusiast. Along the way, discover how designers have repurposed the set’s distinctive color palette—rusty reds, cool whites, and inky blacks—to evoke new narratives, from clandestine reconnaissance drones to gravity-defying sci-fi fighters. These models aren’t just builds; they’re invitations to dream up new missions, craft fresh storylines, and push the boundaries of what a single set can achieve. Prepare to leave Earth—and even the original shuttle—behind as you embark on an odyssey of reinvention and discovery.

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Alternate Builds Gallery

Probe Shuttle

Designer: dorianbricktron
Get the instructions here.

60226 SpaceBat & Mini Mars Rover

Designer: Keep On Bricking
Get the instructions here.

60226 C-Model

Designer: A_Great_Builder
Get the instructions here.

Shuttle with Detachable Front Rocket & Satellite

Designer: Jef
Get the instructions here.

60226 Crane Truck

Designer: Keep On Bricking
Get the instructions here.

Mars Jabberwocky Mech

Designer: jimbox13
Get the instructions here.

60226 Speed Racers

Designer: Keep On Bricking
Get the instructions here.

Cargo Shuttle 60226 D-Model

Designer: A_Great_Builder
Get the instructions here.

60226 B-Model

Designer: A_Great_Builder
Get the instructions here.

60226 Space Driver

Designer: Keep On Bricking
Get the instructions here.

60226 Runabout & Cargo Truck

Designer: CathyVT
Get the instructions here.

Laser Emplacement

Designer: Leibowitz92
Get the instructions here.

Cosmic Buggy Alt Build of 60226

Designer: jimbox13
Get the instructions here.

4 in 1 60226

Designer: A_Great_Builder
Get the instructions here.

60226 – Helicopter

Designer: KlintIsztvud
Get the instructions here.

60226 [Freemium] Mars Traingular Shuttle 2155

Designer: modelar
Get the instructions here.

Space Shuttles B&C 60226 2 in 1

Designer: A_Great_Builder
Get the instructions here.

Fighter

Designer: legomasteruser
Get the instructions here.

Martian Research Truck

Designer: Leibowitz92
Get the instructions here.

Police Boat

Designer: legomasteruser
Get the instructions here.

60226 Sci-Fi Spaceship

Designer: Leibowitz92
Get the instructions here.

60226 Mars Recon Drone

Designer: Leibowitz92
Get the instructions here.

 

Click here for more alternative builds and Modifications for this Lego set