<p>Acording to <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=10231-1" rel="nofollow">Bricklink</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>This set contains 26 more pieces than the original release to correct
  stability issues.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Have a look at the inventory <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=10231-1" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-14T22:25:43.030Z
Bricklink is solid gold for this kind of info. I wonder what kind of stability issues? And why did it go from 16+ to 14+? And why different names? More questions than answers!
tooshel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-15T18:29:00.153Z
Actually the lower age requirement was the driving force behind the change, and that's why the model was deemed not stable enough as it was. It was just stable enough for 16+, not 14+. Anyway, see Kramii's answer which is authoritative.
Joubarc
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-14T22:08:03.003Z
2011-12-14T22:08:03.003Z
Ambo100
<p>The LEGO Direct team's answer to this question is on <a href="http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=1303">brickset</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Since its release in 2010, 10213 Shuttle Adventure
  has proven to be very popular!  Although the model was designed for a
  16+ target audience, our consumer call center has brought to our
  intention that many younger children have been building and playing
  with the model.  As a result, the Direct team has decided to look at
  the model once more to see what changes could be made in order to
  provide a better build and play experience for a slightly younger
  target audience.   10231 Shuttle Expedition may look similar to
  Shuttle Adventure in many ways, however its build is very different
  and offers several advantages.</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>The fuel tank has been reinforced with supports to strengthen the assembly</li>
  <li>The landing gear is strengthened to function better across many different floor types</li>
  <li>The Cargo doors can now be more rigorously opened and closed</li>
  <li>The entire build has been reworked to limit opportunities for misplacing elements</li>
  <li>Astronauts now have wigs in addition to their helmets (1 male, 1 female).  Face prints are also different.</li>
  <li>The new set now has 1,230 elements</li>
  <li>New Satellite can be securely positioned on the new mechanical arm 10231 Shuttle </li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-14T22:34:31.173Z
Wow. Now I really do want to get the Shuttle Expedition just to see how different it is while the build is fresh in my mind. Alas, my Lego budget was blown on trains! Seems it'll be around for a while though.
tooshel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-14T22:25:56.037Z
2011-12-14T22:25:56.037Z
Kramii
<p>Beside the age 16+ designation for the Shuttle Adventurer vs the 14+ age designation on the Shuttle Expedition and some different photography they look identical except they don't sell the Shuttle Adventurer anymore on shop.lego.com. Is there any practical difference?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-14T22:02:56.523Z
10231 has 26 more pieces and was released the next year. I'd have to look into what pieces they are. Perhaps it's something promotional?
Ambo100
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-04T16:42:53.353Z
I wrote to the Lego Group about the differences and they sent me the pieces to retrofit my set. Sweet! Thanks Lego!
tooshel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-12T12:35:47.437Z
@tooshel, that's pretty awesome.
tombull89
<sets>
What is the difference between Shuttle Adventurer (10213) and Shuttle Expedition (10231)
tooshel
# What is the difference between Shuttle Adventurer (10213) and Shuttle Expedition (10231)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-12-14)

Beside the age 16+ designation for the Shuttle Adventurer vs the 14+ age designation on the Shuttle Expedition and some different photography they look identical except they don't sell the Shuttle Adventurer anymore on shop.lego.com. Is there any practical difference?

**Tags:** sets

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 10231 has 26 more pieces and was released the next year. I'd have to look into what pieces they are. Perhaps it's something promotional?  
> **username_0**: I wrote to the Lego Group about the differences and they sent me the pieces to retrofit my set. Sweet! Thanks Lego!  
> **username_2**: @username_0, that's pretty awesome.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2011-12-14. Score: 17 | Accepted answer

The LEGO Direct team's answer to this question is on [brickset](http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=1303):

> Since its release in 2010, 10213 Shuttle Adventure
> has proven to be very popular! Although the model was designed for a
> 16+ target audience, our consumer call center has brought to our
> intention that many younger children have been building and playing
> with the model. As a result, the Direct team has decided to look at
> the model once more to see what changes could be made in order to
> provide a better build and play experience for a slightly younger
> target audience. 10231 Shuttle Expedition may look similar to
> Shuttle Adventure in many ways, however its build is very different
> and offers several advantages.
>
> * The fuel tank has been reinforced with supports to strengthen the assembly
> * The landing gear is strengthened to function better across many different floor types
> * The Cargo doors can now be more rigorously opened and closed
> * The entire build has been reworked to limit opportunities for misplacing elements
> * Astronauts now have wigs in addition to their helmets (1 male, 1 female). Face prints are also different.
> * The new set now has 1,230 elements
> * New Satellite can be securely positioned on the new mechanical arm 10231 Shuttle

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Wow. Now I really do want to get the Shuttle Expedition just to see how different it is while the build is fresh in my mind. Alas, my Lego budget was blown on trains! Seems it'll be around for a while though.  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2011-12-14. Score: 4

Acording to [Bricklink](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=10231-1):

> This set contains 26 more pieces than the original release to correct
> stability issues.

Have a look at the inventory [here](http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=10231-1).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Bricklink is solid gold for this kind of info. I wonder what kind of stability issues? And why did it go from 16+ to 14+? And why different names? More questions than answers!  
> **username_3**: Actually the lower age requirement was the driving force behind the change, and that's why the model was deemed not stable enough as it was. It was just stable enough for 16+, not 14+. Anyway, see username_4's answer which is authoritative.  

---

