The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has been asking help to preserve and digitize the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
The Smithsonian even posted a tweet about their new campaign. "Help @airspace put Neil Armstrong's #Apollo 11 spacesuit back on display," it wrote.
Help @airandspace put Neil Armstrong’s #Apollo11 spacesuit back on display https://t.co/5CrzXYzDqv #RebootTheSuit pic.twitter.com/L7QURNQAxG
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) July 20, 2015
In fact, the tweet is very timely - it was posted on July 20, 2015 - as it marks the 46th anniversary of when man first set foot on the moon.
The Smithsonian launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Called "Reboot the Suit," the institution claims that this also marks the first of many upcoming projects the Smithsonian wants to fund through the website.
The institution aims to raise $500,000 within just a month - until August 19, 2015, to be exact. As for the fate of the spacesuit, the Smithsonian wants to conserve it before actually digitizing it using a 3D scanner. It will then be "placed in a climate-controlled display case."
The overall spacesuit preservation is intended to be complete before the moon landing's 50th anniversary on July 2019. The Smithsonian also explains the reason for crowdfunding.
According to its Kickstarter page, "Federal appropriations provide the foundation of the Smithsonian's operating budget and support core functions."
However, the Smithsonian notes that "projects like Reboot the Suit' aren't covered by [...] federal appropriations," and will need to rely on donations.
As of writing, it's been two days since the Kickstarter campaign has launched. "Reboot the Suit" has already garnered 4,221 backers - resulting in $305,758 worth of pledges.
Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82 back in 2012. Meanwhile, his moon landing partner, Buzz Aldrin, also took the time to share some fun memories on the historic event's 46th anniversary. Check out his tweets below.
It's the 46th Anniversary Apollo 11 moon landing. Mankind's first small step-The next giant leap will be #Mars #GYATM pic.twitter.com/c2ADqSN72G — Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 20, 2015
I have 3 words to describe why this photo Neil took of me is so iconic: Location, location, location. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/4XmmHKe1af
— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 20, 2015
As I made my way down the ladder I partially closed the hatch. Being careful not to lock it on my way out. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/F6q9W5S0ef — Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 20, 2015
Landing was the hard part. Can't walk on the moon if you don't land first. #Apollo11 https://t.co/xwsClhHkDK
— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 20, 2015
I only took a few photos on the moon and this one was to show how the lunar dust was like talcum powder. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/KW29GCtwTv — Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 21, 2015
When kids ask me what it felt like to walk on the moon I say "squishy"! They are #GenerationMars. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/PUpM16GheR
— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 21, 2015
