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In 2015 the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) began a “Reboot the Suit” Kickstarter project to conserve Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit and Alan Shepard’s Project Mercury Spacesuit. WUDPAC and UD undergraduate alumna Objects Conservator Maggie Bearden joined the project in 2019, just in time to begin the Shepard portion of the project.
The Shepard Mercury spacesuit is an important national artifact, as it was worn on May 5, 1961 when Alan Shepard became the first American to enter space. The suit was on long-term display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History but returned to NASM in 2019 in preparation for display in the museum’s newly renovated galleries opening in late 2022.
Like most conservation projects, the primary goals were to assess the condition, ensure that any issues were addressed, and to create an updated mannequin to properly support the suit for its upcoming display. The team also wanted to conduct research into the production methods and materials used to create the trademark silver appearance of the Mercury spacesuits, as there is limited information published on this topic. Archival research revealed that the metallic-coated fabric was produced by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., more commonly known as 3M. The fabric was originally produced for firefighting as the metallic coating helped reflect radiant heat. Documents from the 3M archives were coupled with US Patents to uncover the process through which a thin vapor deposited layer of aluminum was attached to fabric with a heat-activated adhesive. Analytical tools such as portable X-ray fluorescence were used to confirm that the materials on the actual suit matched the production methods detailed in the archival documents.
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Condition assessments revealed the suit was in very good condition despite its long history of display. The exterior metallic coating was slightly abraded in areas, revealing the underlying brown adhesive, but there was no extensive flaking. X-radiography of the suit revealed the rubber bladder was intact and gave a better understanding of the interior structure. Areas of corrosion on metal components were addressed through mechanical and solvent means. The primary area of concern was the rubber neck dam, which exhibited significant losses and deterioration. To prevent additional damage to the neck dam and to aesthetically compensate for the losses this area was encapsulated in toned silk crepeline. Similar minor condition issues were addressed on the glove and boot components of the suit as well. Following treatment, the suit will be undergoing 3D scanning and the development of an updated support prior to installation in the new galleries.
For more images and information about the treatment project updates are available to contributors on the Kickstarter page. A brief interview about the project is available on Adam Savage’s Tested YouTube channel. This project was also presented at the Washington Conservation Guild’s 2022 3-Ring Circus presentations and that presentation will be available on their YouTube page.
— Maggie Bearden, WUDPAC Class of 2017 and Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
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In 2019, WUDPAC alumna Maggie Bearden joined the staff of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and began work on Alan Shepard’s Project Mercury Spacesuit, part of the museum's “Reboot the Suit” Kickstarter project.
2/2/2022
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