US space museum starts crowdfunding campaign to save spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the Moon

The spacesuit was built for short-term use and has been deteriorating

Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon (Getty/AP)

The US National Air and Space Museum has launched a crowdfunding campaign to save the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the Moon in 1969.

The spacesuit was built for short-term use with materials that break down. It is kept in a controlled environment, but the museum hopes to create an exhibit that will protect and publicly display the suit for the 50th anniversary of the Moon walk. It will be a centrepiece in 'Destination Moon,' a gallery opening in 2020.

The museum aims to raise $500,000 (£321,000) on Kickstarter. The spacesuit is deteriorating and hasn’t been displayed since 2006.

AP