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Neil Armstrong’s famous suit will be showcased during a special exhibition in 2020 in occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission on the Moon.
Last Thursday, Smithsonian’s Kickstarter campaign raised $500,000 for Armstrong’s space suit recovery, days ahead of the official deadline that the famous museum set. The “Reboot the Suit” campaign was first promoted on July 20 aiming to gather this amount of money within a week’s period, but fans have been much more generous than anyone predicted.
Neil Armstrong moon landing in 1969 is one of the most important moments in the history of the United States, as well as in the history of NASA. For that matter, the national museum of natural history has decided to start a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the recovery of the astronomer’s suit.
The suit has been in Smithsonian’s custody since 1971 and in spite of the efforts that historians have made to preserve it, it has nonetheless begun to deteriorate. Researchers, however, have stated that the suit has lasted remarkably long considering that the materials that were used in the 60s were not as resistant as the ones today.
The “Reboot the Suit” campaign has turned out much more successful than anyone had anticipated. Astronomy fans did not only donate the requested some of money, but they have also contributed to making the campaign visible on social networks.
Thus, researchers managed to raise the necessary $500,000 by Thursday, four days ahead of the official deadline. Since fans showed so much support, the Smithsonian Museum has raised the stake to $700,000 explaining fans that the additional money will be used for the organization of a special moon-inspired exhibition in 2020.
Smithsonian’s representatives have further stated that the exhibition will be organized in occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission on the Moon. This is, in fact, the reason why the suit is been reconditioned, scientists have explained.
Neil Armstrong’s famous suit will go through a three-year period of recovery. The process will involve X-rays, CT scans, as well as 3-D digital scans of the suit, for a precision reconstruction. To prolong the life of the suit, scientists will also build a special climate-controlled case, which is said to significantly reduce the decomposition of the material.
The special case containing Neil Armstrong’s suit will be showcased at the National Air and Space Smithsonian during the 2020 exhibition entitled “Destination Moon”.
Historians think the man who was inside the suit, Neil Armstrong, deserves to hold a special place in the museum as he does in the history of mankind.
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