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Set 6856 Planetary Decoder
Space Exploriens

LEGO® Planetary Decoder

The Planetary Decoder is a 1996 set from the Exploriens space range, built from 81 pieces and supplied with one minifigure. It is a small gadget rather than a big spacecraft, and its colours are what make it stand out.

Set number
6856
Year
1996
Pieces
81
Minifigures
1
Theme
Exploriens
Different parts
49
What can I build with it?

Parts list 49

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Minifigures 1

Description

A gadget instead of a ship

Most space sets of the era put a vehicle front and centre, but this one focuses on equipment. The decoder is the kind of device an explorer crew would use to make sense of signals from distant planets, which fits the Exploriens idea of researchers visiting unknown worlds. With only 81 pieces it builds quickly, so it suits a relaxed evening of building. The single minifigure gives you someone to operate the machine, and it is easy to imagine a whole research base growing around it.

Black, white and glowing green

The colour list tells you a lot about the look. Black and white form the base, while trans-neon green stands in for glowing screens and scanner lenses. The data also lists an entry with no fixed colour, which usually points to printed parts or stickers. Anyone who collects nineties sets will recognise this palette straight away as typical of the space themes from those years. On a shelf, it sits comfortably beside other Exploriens models without overpowering them.

Lots of variety for a small build

Of the 81 pieces, 42 are different parts, so many elements appear only once or twice. That keeps the build interesting but makes sorting a little fiddly if you take the model apart later. The reward is a mixed bag of small elements that can add detail to your own space creations. The full parts list on this page lets you identify every single piece, which is handy if you are rebuilding the set from a loose collection of bricks.

Who it suits

A 1996 set like this appeals mainly to collectors completing a space range, although the minifigure makes it playable too. If you already own a lot of bricks, try the “What can I build?” tool on this site to see how many of these parts you have already and what else they could become. A small set like this often works best as a starting point for your own ideas rather than as a finished model that never changes.

FAQ

How many pieces are in the Planetary Decoder?
Set 6856 contains 81 pieces, 42 of them different part types, plus one minifigure.
Which theme does it belong to?
It is part of the Exploriens space range and came out in 1996.
Can I reuse the parts in my own builds?
Yes. Use the parts list and the “What can I build?” tool to see which pieces you already have and what you can make with them.

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