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Hidden away for 13 years, Neil Armstrong's spacesuit will be on display again

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s team of conservators are painstakingly preparing for the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
Credit: NASA
Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

DULLES, Va. — Complex spacesuits protected the men who went to the moon. Now, it’s the women of the Smithsonian responsible for preserving them—in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

“We’re coming to the final countdown for this,” said Lisa Young, among the National Air & Space Museum’s team of conservators painstakingly preparing Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit for public view. Armstrong’s gloves are the final piece before the suit returns to public view for the first time in 13 years.

“It is pressure, but it’s exciting,” said Young. “I’m actually really enjoying it right now. I want us to enjoy the celebration.”

Armstrong’s suit will be on display on the National Mall starting July 16-- the same day 50 years earlier that he, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins launched for the moon. Conservators are still preparing for a new moon gallery to open in 2022.

“The 50th anniversary is an exciting time,” said spacesuit curator Kathleen Lewis, who showed spots on Armstrong’s gloves pitted by actual moon dust. She hopes this small display will be a poignant reminder of what we accomplished so new generations to aspire for the stars.

“I’m hoping they will wonder what happens next,” said Lewis.

You might not make it to Washington, but you can see spacesuits from past and future online on Tuesday. The Air and Space Museum is hosting a live webcast Apollo at 8 p.m. Click here to watch.

The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 is also a unique opportunity for coin collectors.
The U.S. Mint is celebrating by offering a five dollar gold coin, silver dollar, 5-ounce $1 silver proof coin and a half dollar to commemorate this piece of history.

Proceeds benefit the Smithsonian, The Astronauts Memorial Foundation and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Click here to view the catalog.

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