Kickstarter Inc. has been used to fund everything from multi-million dollar video games like Star Citizen to the world’s most expensive potato salad, and now the Smithsonian Institution is turning to Kickstarter to preserve some of the nation’s deteriorating artifacts, including the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore when he first walked on the Moon in 1969.

The campaign, which the Smithsonian has called Reboot the Suit, is seeking $500,000 to restore and protect the spacesuit so that it can be displayed for future generations at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

“July 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, a feat so breathtaking in its scope and ambition that it captured the collective imaginations of audiences around the world,” the Kickstarter campaign page says. “At the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, we use the power of real objects to tell stories like this one – stories of the vision, intellect, and courage of men and women who have overcome challenges and pushed boundaries to take the next giant leap for humankind.

“For the Smithsonian’s first-ever Kickstarter campaign, we are proud to announce plans to conserve, digitize, and display Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit in time for this milestone anniversary. We want to preserve Armstrong’s spacesuit – and the story it tells of its incredible journey – down to the particles of lunar dust that cling to its surface. Just like the Apollo program, we will accomplish this in collaboration of thousands of people across the country and around the world.”

So far the campaign has raised just under $15,000 with 29 days left to reach its goal. Backer rewards range from a thank-you email for a $1 donation all the way up to a behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation lab with the spacesuit for a $10,000 donation, which also includes recognition on the museum’s donor wall and membership in the National Air and Space Society. Other rewards include posters, t-shirts, and even a 3D printed model of Neil Armstrong’s glove. The Smithsonian notes that a portion of all donations made to its campaigns are deductible from your federal income tax.

This is the first campaign from the Smithsonian, but the organization plans on launching similar campaigns in the futures to preserve other historically significant artifacts. The museum explains that the spacesuit will be cared for whether or not the campaign succeeds, but the campaign will allow the suit to be restored to a condition that would allow it to be displayed for the public in time for the 50th anniversary of Armstrong’s historic moonwalk.

Photo by Recuerdos de Pandora