Space Museum's Kickstarter Campaign Aims To Save Neil Armstrong's Space Suit

“That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”

Those were the words spoken by astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever walk on the moon, on July 20, 1969. Monday, 46 years later to the day, the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum has launched its first-ever Kickstarter campaign to help fund the preservation of Armstrong’s spacesuit.

The museum has dubbed their campaign “#RebootTheSuit.” The effort hopes to raise $500,000 in 30 days. As of Monday morning, $18,418 had been raised from 161 backers.

Armstrong wore the suit when he and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon July 20, 1969.

July 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and the Smithsonian plans to conserve, digitize and display Armstrong’s spacesuit in time for the milestone. The suit will eventually be permanently displayed as a centerpiece in the future Destination Moon exhibition, a completely redesigned and updated gallery that will bring the story of lunar exploration to a new generation.

Here’s what the Smithsonian has to say about its project:

“Calling all citizens of Earth. We need your help to conserve, digitize, and display Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing. Just like the Apollo program, we will accomplish this with the help of thousands of people across the country and around the world through the Smithsonian’s first-ever Kickstarter project. This is your chance to be a part of preserving the Apollo legacy for explorers everywhere.”

Those who make donations will receive recognition and prizes such as patches, posters, membership and magazines; the ultimate prize, for anyone who donates $10,000 or more, is an up-close and personal viewing of the suit behind the scenes.

PHOTO: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin poses for a photograph beside the deployed United States flag during an Apollo 11 Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, commander, took this picture with a 70mm Hasselblad lunar surface camera.

Watch a video here about the Kickstarter effort: