On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong made history by taking humanity’s first steps on the Moon, uttering the iconic words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The spacesuit he wore during this monumental Apollo 11 mission, a marvel of engineering and a symbol of human ingenuity, is now a centerpiece at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This blog post explores the significance of Armstrong’s A-7L spacesuit, its meticulous conservation, and the experience of seeing it on display in the museum’s “Destination Moon” gallery.
A Suit That Walked on the Moon
The Apollo 11 spacesuit, designated A-7L and manufactured by ILC Industries Inc., was designed to protect astronauts in the harsh lunar environment. Comprising 21 layers of materials like beta cloth (a Teflon-coated fiberglass), synthetic fibers, rubber, and metal, the suit was engineered for durability, flexibility, and life support during extravehicular activity (EVA). It allowed Armstrong to move with relative comfort for up to 115 hours in conjunction with a liquid cooling garment or 14 days in an unpressurized mode. Weighing approximately 180 pounds (81.6 kg) on Earth but only 30 pounds (13.6 kg) under lunar gravity, the suit was a critical tool for survival in the vacuum of space and the Moon’s extreme temperatures.
Armstrong wore this suit for about 12 hours during the Apollo 11 mission: from the launch on July 16, 1969, through his historic 2-hour-and-15-minute moonwalk in the Sea of Tranquility, to the splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on July 24. Still embedded with lunar dust, the suit is a tangible artifact of humanity’s first lunar landing, carrying specks of the Moon’s surface as a testament to its journey.
A Conservation Triumph
By the early 2000s, the spacesuit showed signs of deterioration after decades on display and a nationwide tour following the mission. In 2006, curators at the National Air and Space Museum removed it from exhibit to prevent further degradation of its delicate materials, which were designed with a lifespan of only six months. The suit’s rubber components were breaking down, releasing harmful vapors, and its fabric was fading.
In 2015, the museum launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising over $700,000 from more than 9,000 donors worldwide to fund a comprehensive conservation effort. The project, completed in 2019, involved cleaning, stabilizing, and repairing the suit while preserving historical details, including the lunar dust and pre-flight repairs. Conservators, led by chief conservator Malcolm Collum, used X-rays, CT scans, and 3D scanning to study the suit’s 21 layers without further damaging it.
A custom mannequin, built to Armstrong’s exact measurements, was designed to support the suit while allowing air circulation to filter out harmful vapors caused by rubber degradation. The suit is housed in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled display case by Goppion, which maintains low temperature, humidity, and lighting to slow decay. The case’s advanced ventilation system draws air through the suit’s fabric to a specialized filter, ensuring long-term preservation. Luxam’s conservation-standard lighting highlights the suit’s details, such as the colorful metal fittings (red for the right glove, blue for the left) that aided Armstrong in connecting his gear during the mission.
The Smithsonian also digitized the suit, creating a high-resolution 3D model accessible online via the museum’s website. This allows global audiences to explore its intricate components, from the Apollo 11 mission patch to the “fishbowl” helmet, through AR/VR platforms or 3D printing.
On Display: A Journey from Earth to Moon
After 13 years in storage, Armstrong’s spacesuit returned to public view on July 16, 2019, exactly 50 years after the Apollo 11 launch, as part of the museum’s Apollo 50th anniversary celebrations. Initially displayed near the 1903 Wright Flyer in the Wright Brothers gallery—a poetic pairing with the aircraft that marked humanity’s first powered flight—it now resides in the “Destination Moon” gallery, a permanent exhibit opened in 2022.
The “Destination Moon” gallery immerses visitors in the Apollo program’s story, with Armstrong’s suit as its centerpiece. The display captures the suit’s historical weight, still dusted with lunar regolith, and its engineering brilliance, from the meticulous hand-stitched layers to the quick-disconnect fittings at the neck and forearms. Nearby artifacts, such as the Apollo 11 maintenance kit with cloth tape, patches, and cleaning pads, provide context for the mission’s challenges.
The suit’s unveiling in 2019, attended by Vice President Mike Pence, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and Armstrong’s son Rick, underscored its enduring significance. As museum director Ellen Stofan noted, “Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, the suit that allowed a human to walk on the surface of the Moon for the first time, is one of the most iconic artifacts in our collection.” Vice President Pence added, “Apollo 11 is the only event of the 20th century that stands a chance of being widely remembered in the 30th century.”
Visiting the National Air and Space Museum
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Air and Space Museum is a must-visit for space enthusiasts. Armstrong’s spacesuit, displayed in the “Destination Moon” gallery, is a highlight, but the museum also houses other Apollo 11 artifacts, including a lunar sample collected by Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on loan from the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
Admission to the museum is free, though timed-entry passes are required and can be reserved online. The “Destination Moon” gallery is accessible during regular hours, and guided tours or audio guides enhance the experience. Visitors can also explore the museum’s Apollo 50th anniversary content online, including the 3D model of the spacesuit, for a virtual tour.
For a unique perspective, the Smithsonian’s “Apollo at the Park” initiative in 2019 placed 15 life-size statues of the spacesuit at Major League Baseball parks, crafted from 3D scan data. These resin statues, now in museums near their original display sites, feature interactive elements like scannable mission patches for videos about Apollo 11. The 3D model files are publicly available for multimedia projects or 3D printing, extending the suit’s reach beyond the museum.
Why the Spacesuit Matters
Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit is more than an artifact; it’s a wearable legacy of human courage and innovation. As conservator Lisa Young said, “It is the single most human factor of the Apollo 11 mission,” embodying Armstrong’s ability to live, work, and survive in space. Its lunar dust, hand-stitched layers, and colorful fittings tell a story of precision and bravery, while its conservation ensures it will inspire future generations.
For those who visit the National Air and Space Museum, the suit stands as a bridge between Earth and the cosmos, a reminder of the moment humanity transcended its terrestrial boundaries. Whether you’re a history buff, a space enthusiast, or simply curious, seeing this suit in person—or exploring its 3D model online—offers a profound connection to one of the greatest achievements in human history.
Have you visited the “Destination Moon” gallery or explored the 3D model of Armstrong’s spacesuit? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know how this iconic artifact inspires you! 🚀👨🚀
Image Credit: NASA/Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
