The Moonbase idea was created at Brickfest 2002 by a group of LEGO Space enthusiasts who wanted to create a modular Space-themed building system. The system established an easy to follow standard that would allow many builders to build separate “modules” that could be connected seamlessly in a large lunar city. The concept became an instant hit, leading to many fantastic displays at events around the world. Despite the success of the original Moonbase concept, it was not especially accessible for some builders. Since the Moonbase module is based on a 48×48 stud baseplate, it requires a significant investment in parts to build a large, interesting module. Additionally, larger modules can take a long time to build. In an attempt to expand the Moonbase concept and to solve these detractions, the Micro Moonbase standard was developed. While several scales were considered, including modules based on 8×8 and 12×12 stud platforms, a 16×16 stud platform was selected for several reasons. The scale is a good compromise in levels of detail and miniaturization. It is large enough that creating recognizable single pilot vehicles is still possible, but it is small enough that one person could create an entire refinery in a few baseplates. The length of the platform, and multiples thereof, are standard LEGO baseplate sizes (16×16, 16×32, 32×32, 48×48). Since the Micro scale is exactly one third the size of a Minifig scale Moonbase module, any Minifig scale module can easily be recreated in Micro by replacing every brick height with a plate height piece [FIGURE? Adrian’s powerplant in both scales?]. Finally, the 16×16 stud platform leads to modules which are close to the already informally established “stick-fig” scale, in which each lunar citizen is represented by a single 1×1 cylinder. The scale lends itself to a common connection corridor constructed out of 2×2 stud cylinders oriented using any of a number of Studs-Not-On-Top techniques. As in the Minifig scale standard, this corridor is centered on the 16 stud baseplate. Corridors may occur at three brick high intervals, starting two plates above the baseplate [FIGURE The Standard]. To allow “moon-scaping” under the modules, the default height for connections is three bricks and two plates high. Corridors between adjacent modules can mate using 3 stud long Technic axles inserted into the cylinders. Each corridor should be at least 2 studs long to create visual separation between adjacent modules. Since the corridor itself is built using SNOT, the Micro Moonbase system encourages builders to experiment with SNOT techniques and non-integer stud offsets. For example, using the 5 plates high = 2 bricks wide equality, it is easy to create corridors that or 2, 4, or 6 studs long. Using other special pieces, even odd lengths can be achieved [FIGURE Odd Lengths]. Experimenting with corridor lengths leads the builder to use creative building methods for the rest of the module. Since there is no interior on Micro scale, creative exteriors are emphasized. This encourages use of non-rectangular pieces and shapes, which might otherwise be difficult to use at a larger scale. The smaller scale means that builders with limited bricks or time can still participate, and even create their own layouts. Those with many parts at their disposal can create great super-modules covering many multiples of 16×16 baseplates with less “selective compression” than normally applied to Minifig scale creations. Large layouts can be created by individual builders, making the final layout at an event all the more impressive. Smaller modules give builders the opportunity to more easily plan out the Moonbase, perhaps creating a town plan incorporating residential, industrial, and recreational modules. In my view, the easily accessible scale of Micro Moonbase makes it even more flexible than the original Moonbase standard. I can envision amazing realistic lunar farms, towns, cities, industries, spaceports, and military bases or even humorous and fantastical recreations of Las Vegas in Space. The stars are the limit…what will your next Micro Moonbase be?