Review: New Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket

Review: New Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket | AD

New Playmobil launches are always exciting but one of the newest ones is extra special… Playmobil has recently launched its all-new ESA Space Range, developed in close cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). In this article, we’ll have a closer look at one of the sets – the Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket.

The Playmobil ESA collection is set to inspire a new generation of young explorers with four innovative, modular and scientifically inspired playsets. Combining the wonder of planetary science and real-world mission design with hands-on play, these sets are sure to mesmerize children who love space! 

The four new Playmobil ESA sets are:

• Playmobil ESA: Space Glider (72013) RRP £19.99
• Playmobil ESA: Astronaut with Robot (72014) RRP £14.99
• Playmobil ESA: Mars Research Rocket (72011) RRP £59.99
• Playmobil ESA: Mars Exploration Rover (72012) RRP £29.99

The Mars Research Rocket is at the heart of the collection – you’ll find all the details about this set further down. The Mars Exploration Rover supports the rocket and features a drill, cameras and sensors similar to those used in ESA’s forthcoming Mars missions. Together with the robot from the Astronaut with Robot set, children can hunt for signs of ancient life beneath the Martian surface. This set promotes teamwork between human explorers and their robotic assistants. The Space Glider completes the fleet. It’s an agile aerial vehicle capable of locating hidden geological treasures – very cool indeed.

All About the Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket

The launch of this new range also created a moment of celebration for Playmobil as the Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket was officially recognised as a Hero Toy 2026 at this year’s Toy Fair, identifying the most innovative and influential toys expected to shape the coming year. 

The award-winning Playmobil ESA Mars Research Rocket is a fantastic toy. It’s been designed as a fully modular spacecraft so children can extend or shorten it depending on the mission.

It docks on a mobile landing platform that also acts as a functional Martian base station. Other features include movable crane arms to help young explorers collect and secure soil samples. 

Inside the Mars Research Rocket, there’s seating for the two astronauts that are included in the set. It’s a brilliant Playmobil set that feels very realistic for children and provides an imaginative storytelling experience.

What’s in the Box?

Inside the box, young explorers will find everything they need for their space adventure:

• 2 Astronaut Figures
• 2 Astronaut Helmets
• 4 Arm Bracers
• 1 Drill Device
• 1 Backpack Attachment
• 1 Gripper Arm
• 2 Silicone Cables
• 1 Modular Rocket
• 1 Rocket Engine
• 1 Launch Pad
• 1 Solar Panel
• 1 Boom Arm with Maintenance Basket
• 1 Boom Arm with Gripper
• 1 Projectile
• 3 Glow-Red Rock Samples
• 2 Glow-Orange Rock Samples
• 2 Tablets

There are also illustrated bulding instructions that are easy to follow for children. The set is recommended for ages 4-10 years but young children might need a little bit of assistance clicking a few of the parts together and putting the stickers where they need to go.

Entering a New Era of Playmobil Space Exploration

This new Space Range from Playmobil offers an exciting and fun opportunity for children to envision themselves as future engineers, astronauts or planetary scientists. 

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“Working closely with ESA allows us to create toys that are inspiring, scientifically grounded and packed with play value,”

“We want children not just to play, but to wonder,  to imagine what it might feel like to explore Mars for real.”

Bahri Kurter, CEO of Playmobil 

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These new Playmobil sets bring the excitement of space exploration straight into children’s playtime. My youngest daughter, age 7, loves playing with the Mars Research Rocket, flying it and the astronauts to different parts of space for a wide range of missions and then back to Earth. She loves that the rocket is modular, that it can be extended or shortened into rockets of different sizes. Launching the projectile from the tip of the rocket is lots of fun too! 

The Playmobil ESA collection is available to purchase from good toy retailers, including Amazon.co.uk, now.

Collaboration.