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Image Credit: NASA
In grave danger of continuing degradation, the commander's space suit is being stored off-exhibit to attempt to conserve, repair and 3D-scan the suit. The Smithsonian asks for US$500,000 to accomplish this and make the suit part of the Museum's permanent exhibition in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo mission in 2019. In it's first day, the campaign has already raised US$100,000, and four days later 5,452 backers have pledged $434,263, meaning less than the amount they raised in a single day is required for them to reach their goal.
Neil Armstrong's space suit is more than a life-preserver in space - it encapsulates and embodies humanity's goals and it's ever-increasing reach for the stars in a continuing story of endurance, scientific curiosity and a team of engineers and scientists who clearly never gave up when they were told "it can't be done". It showcases - for all the world to visit and see - the true grit and unquenchable desire to do the impossible, against all odds, and survive to tell the tale. Such things were touched upon in the Star Trek series Enterprise, with humanity's attempt to reach warp five which can be best surmised in it's opening credits and theme song.
To preserve this icon of humanity's high adventure in space, the suit requires not only a specially-built, climate-controlled display case but extensive research and conservation. This includes painstaking handiwork to bring it back to a "as new" condition and repairing damage such as faded colours on the US flag and unknown and undocumented repairs and stains over time.
The suit is also being digitally preserved by a team that has already done the same to the Wright Flyer and the Bell X-1, and is in the planning stages for the Apollo 11 command module Columbia. This enables a three-dimensional view of the space suit and it's 21 individual layers, creating a dynamic and engaging teaching tool as well as capturing the suit's current status and decay, in order to avoid more of the same.
Finally, the campaign includes a raft of rewards depending on what you'd like to contribute to the cause - many have already run out! Many tiers include exclusive posters, video tours and museum membership but for the more wealthy among us at US$10,000 you'll earn the privilege of going behind-the-scenes to take a look at Armstrong's space suit for yourself, plus recognition of your contribution and name on the Museum's donor wall to be immortalized - just like Neil Armstrong's space suit. Back on Terra Firma, at US$55 you'll receive a unique and exclusive mission patch created by Star Trek graphic designer Michael Okuda, who created the special effects and graphics from TOS to Enterprise.
If you're interested in backing this campaign, you can do so via the Kickstarter page. You can also find more information on the Smithsonian's website.
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WRITTEN & EDITED BY McCLINTOCK - UFP.CLINT@HACARI.COM
