Neil Armstrong wearing the historic suit inside the Lunar Module (via RebootTheSuit kickstarter)
Sometimes you miss something important. This might be one of those times… #REBOOTTHESUIT
Ever since it started, Kickstarter has received both praise and criticism. While it has the ability to fund promising projects, there are also some sketchy ones, like the potato salad debacle. But thanks to its most recent campaign it also has the ability to preserve a piece of history. Last month, the Smithsonian Institute launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to save the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore when he landed on the moon 46 years ago. The institute hoped to raise $500,000 to “conserve, digitize, and display” Armstrong's Apollo 11 spacesuit in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in 2019. People heard the call and they overwhelmingly answered since the goal was reached within four days and is now up to $662,163 with three days to go.
Similar to other campaigns there are stretch goals and goodies for those who pledge a certain amount like digital posters, decals, exclusive behind the scenes footage, and even space ice cream. But if the campaign reaches the $700,000 mark before August 19, backers at the $20 level will get an outgoing voice message from the ultimate Transformer Optimus Prime. You read that right. The leader of the Transformers can leave a special message for your voicemail to impress your friends and family. Even the Smithsonian knows how cool Optimus Prime is.
The museum also hopes to reach the $700,000 mark to tell the story of the first American in space, Alan Shepard. Similar to Armstrong, they also want to conserve, display, and digitized his silver Mercury suit he wore during the first American manned space flight in 1961.
Currently, Armstrong's spacesuit is being stored in the museum's climate controlled storage area meaning it's hidden from the public. Spacesuits are pretty delicate and can decay if not stored properly. In order to restore the suit and make sure it's ready for display, the museum will employ 3D scanning, chemical analysis, CT scanning, and photogrammetry, along with other techniques.
That's cool and all, but why is the suit being digitized? How does that even work? The Smithsonian not only wants you to see the suit, but to experience it as well. Visitors will be able to take self-guided tours and explore the suit's 21 layers thanks to a 3D of Armstrong's suit. Not only will it make for a great interactive tool for teachers, you can now live out your childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. If you want to help out, preserve a piece of history, and maybe get a message from Optimus Prime there's still time to make your pledge.
Unfortunately... we have little time left to help. So hurry and Reboot The Suit!
[UPDATE] The campaign is over... they raised $719,779. More than enough to Reboot the Suit and get that Optimus Prime message!
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