Guinness World Records has confirmed that Project Hail Mary and Sent Into Space sent the LEGO set inspired by the blockbuster movie into space, to an altitude of 34,988 metres (114,790 feet).
In one of those incredibly obscure world records that is of course really a (very fun) publicity stunt, LEGO Icons 11389 Project Hail Mary is the LEGO set that has travelled to and been retrieved from the greatest altitude – 34,988 metres (114,790 feet).
On March 20, 11389 Project Hail Mary was launched from Gwynedd County, UK, using a high-altitude balloon system engineered by Sent Into Space. The Ryland Grace and Rocky figures that come in the popular set were part of the launch.
After reaching almost 35 kilometres above Earth, the LEGO model returned to ground and was safely recovered in full.
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The System-and-Technic built set, which has a fascinating design process behind it, is based on the sci-fi movie that is adapted from Andy Weir’s novel. Ryan Gosling plays Ryland Grace, an astronaut who awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there.
“We’re incredibly proud to have collaborated with Sony Pictures UK and played our part in setting a brand-new world record for Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary,” says Sent Into Space Head of Projects Dr Chris Rose. “Every one of our projects is an exciting undertaking but getting the chance to incorporate a LEGO build into the spacecraft development process made this one a whole heap of fun for the entire Sent into Space team. Congratulations to the film for accomplishing its ambitious mission, and we hope the visuals of the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary set in space will help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.”
“What better way to launch the latest space blockbuster than with a stratospheric record attempt?” says Guinness World Records Managing Editor Adam Millward. “It was a master stroke to send the Project Hail Mary-themed LEGO set – complete with a minifigure of the film’s main character Ryland Grace and his extraterrestrial buddy, Rocky – into Earth’s atmosphere. As entertaining as it was to watch, there’s also no doubting the engineering expertise that a feat like this entails so all hail the brainy folks at Sent into Space too!”
In Las Vegas, Project Hail Mary directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller – who also directed The LEGO Movie and executive produced its sequels – were awarded with the Guinness World Records certificate.
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