Space Explorer Space Shuttle Launch Center Playset with Educational Rocket Poster

Sturdy toy for a young boy. Die cast metal and plastic. Cargo bay doors open (my son's favorite part). Smaller parts easily lost but that's a part of boys and their toys, right? Would be better if the small pieces that hold up the shuttle wings on the platform were actually attached to the platform (they're hard to keep track of). Nevertheless, the shuttle and rocket booster combo will stand upright without the wing holders, it's just not as sturdy that way. Very good toy for hours of space play!

My son (almost 4) loved it. It is very realistic, which is what I consider to be its greatest strength. He understands now how the space shuttle launches, detaches, reenters, etc. The cargo doors of the space shuttle are the weakest point. One of ours broke the first day (to be fair, my son stepped on it by accident). Also, if the shuttle is standing on the launch pad, it tends to fall off of the rockets/tank piece. Otherwise, an excellent toy.

This is perfect for my 5 year old who is extremely interested in everything to do with Space, Planets, and Rockets. He takes it everywhere. It blasts off at least 10 times a day. The only durability issue is with the three main engines, two of them have already broken off because they are so small. Overall though, I would buy it again because my son is such a Space fan.

I just got it today and i love it! Its probolly best for display but if you are gentle it is great to play withPros......Shuttle can detach from tank!Easy to attach and detach from tank!Has Wheels that go around and can pop easaly in and out of shuttle!Platform moves!Verry realalistic in detail!Shuttle and tank and easaly depart frommplatform!Cargo bay doors open revailing satolite!It is a fare size!Includes Rocket Poster and two astronots!Cons.....Astronots are to bigShuttle bay doors clos clumselyThe things that prop the shuttle up on plat form are loose and fall of but easy to put back on with out eny gluePics.....

This toy is great for budding space enthusiasts like my 3 year old. Space shuttle, boosters, tank, astronauts, a place to launch them from, what more can you ask? However, unless you are willing to do extensive repairs on the shoddy construction before you give it, the recipient can well end up in tears like my son did. First, the boosters DO NOT detach from the tank, despite what the description suggests, they are solidly bonded together, and, if your kid has seen a launch on TV, he or she will know that the boosters go first. I had to carefully saw them apart and used Velcro to fix them back on. Second, the tank-to-shuttle connection is just some tabs that don't latch together, meaning they constantly fall apart. A magnet and an anchor plate glued to tank and shuttle fixed that. Third, the two plastic pieces on top of the launch pad, that hold the shuttle steady, are also extremely loose with no positive connection, resulting in constant frustration. Hot-melt glue from the bottom will easily make them solid. Fourth, the doors of the shuttle do not stay closed, I have not repaired that yet.After all those repairs, my son truly loves it and sleeps with it every night. Before, he just came running every 10 seconds and either asked for help or cried that the thing fell apart in his hands when he was trying to launch it.Great play value now, construction quality is an insult, especially for the money (it's just a couple bucks worth of die-cast metal and plastic).

We have two of these for our 19 month old grandson to play with. He is obsessed with all things relating to the space shuttle. The only issue we have with this product is that the shuttle craft is connected to the boosters via two way-too-small tabs. The white shuttle is just right for small hands to grip, but as soon as you move it it separates from the boosters and causes much frustration to the toddler. We resolved this by adding some Velcro tape between the shuttle and the booster. So, if you buy this product be prepared to find an alternative way to connect the two parts. Other than that, it is a great toy and our grandson loves it!

Grandson is into everything, anything to do with space, rockets, etc. He loves this - it is great quality and goes together easily. We have ordered another toy from this company and it was just as good. No hesitation to buy this.

PROS: Shuttle is mostly made of metal, very durable and rugged. Size is great for kids. Shuttle cargo bay doors open. Landing gear (wheels) lock down or fold inside shuttle. Comes with nice display stand.CONS: External tanks/boosters BARELY attach to the shuttle. It doesn't snap in though, so if your child is holding it at an angle, the tanks will fall off. We had to improvise and use two ponytail holders to keep shuttle and tanks together. Also, the shuttle BARELY stands by itself on the stand. There's two things that stick up and they came taped when I received it, and I left the tape on because there's no way the rocket will stand up without them being taped. Also, the two astronauts that come with it are too big to fit inside. One is in a sitting position and can't even balance without falling over.OVERALL: Despite the cons, my daughter absolutely LOVES this and it was one of her favorite Christmas presents. Nothing is perfect, and you pay for what you get. I teach my daughter to engineer and fix things when they need improvements. It was actually her idea to use the two ponytail holders. Maybe someday she'll be a rocket scientist. :)