The National Air and Space Museum has launched a crowdfunding campaign to conserve the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore on the moon.

The campaign began Monday, July 20, which marked 46 years since Armstrong took his first step on the moon in 1969.

Conservators say spacesuits were built for short-term use with materials that break down over time.

The museum aims to raise $500,000 on Kickstarter to conserve the spacesuit, build a climate-controlled display case and digitize the spacesuit with 3-D scanning.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 2,800 people already pledged over $190,000. Supporters spread the word on social media using the hashtag #RebootTheSuit.

The Smithsonian formed a partnership with Kickstarter for a series of crowdfunded projects. The spacesuit is the first.

Armstrong's spacesuit is deteriorating and hasn't been displayed since 2006. The museum plans to display it in 2019 for the 50th anniversary of Armstrong's moonwalk. Later, the suit will be a centerpiece in "Destination Moon," a gallery opening in 2020.