Crowdfunding drive raises $720K to conserve Armstrong spacesuit

AFP FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON — The National Air and Space Museum has completed its crowdfunding campaign to conserve the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the moon and surpassed its goal by nearly $220,000.

The campaign on Kickstarter raised nearly $720,000 over the past 30 days. Nearly 9,500 people donated funds.

The museum set out to raise $500,000 to conserve the spacesuit, build a climate-controlled display case and digitize the suit with 3D scanning. Armstrong’s spacesuit is deteriorating and hasn’t been displayed since 2006.

With the extra money, the museum will also conserve Alan Shepard’s Mercury spacesuit. Shepard made the first American manned space flight in 1961.

Any additional funds will be used to fund a new “Destination Moon” gallery that will feature the spacesuits and other artifacts. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

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