The project was launched simultaneously with the celebration of the 46 anniversary of the Apollo 11 project, which landed the first men on the Moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who went there along with their pilot Michael Collins. Conservators say spacesuits were built for short-term use with materials that break down over time.
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As a result, Armstrong’s spacesuit was taken off exhibit in 2006, and with the exception a brief display of the helmet and gloves in response to his death in 2012, the suit has not been seen by the public since.
Lewis added that the suit will be featured in a new gallery the museum plans to open in 2020 called Destination Moon, which will “tell the story of the world’s fascination with the moon from ancient times to current affairs”.
The spacesuit has been kept in storage since past 13 years and has been displayed. The Kickstarter campaign began today, so you have until mid-August to pledge your support for the project.
Spacesuits are among the most fragile objects that the Smithsonian keeps in its collections. We are enormous admirers of the Smithsonian, and we’re thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with them and to invite new audiences to be a part of their work.
The suit isn’t currently available for exhibition as it needs to be maintained in a very strict environment, far away from prying eyes. Armstrong’s suit will remain there should the Kickstarter drive fail.
One of the most iconic artifacts in the collection was chosen as the first projectNeil Armstrongs Apollo 11 spacesuit.
The Smithsonian has entered into a partnership with Kickstarter to help back projects that are not federally funded and Armstrong’s spacesuit “is the first of hopefully many projects”, as reported by Mitchell.
Armstrong’s spaceflight as mission commander of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, in July 1969 was truly a remarkable and significant feat for the human race. The museum has started an online fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com “Reboot The Suit” and wants to raise nearly $500,000 over the period of next month.
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About 60 percent of the funding for the 169-year-old Smithsonian comes from the federal government, amounting to 9.5 million in fiscal 2015, according to the institution’s website. “Backers of Kickstarter are motivated and interested and we’re showing them the process”, she said. Federal appropriations don’t cover special projects like Reboot the Suit, which is why the Smithsonian Institution is turning to the public for assistance.
