Topic: Best practices for suit storage and display
Diego New Member
Posts: 1 From: USA Registered: Jul 2024
posted 07-21-2024 06:56 PM
Hi all. Thank you so much in advance for any guidance, it seems like an awesome community here.
I'm about to pick up an older Sokol suit, specifically the circa 1973 KR edition, and have never owned anything antique before so a bit worried — although I'd hope they're pretty robust?
I'm planning on DIY building a case for it and letting my local library have it for a while. I'm trying to find information on best practices for storage and display and can't find much. Any tips or considerations in regards to things like temperature, humidity, light, things that may cause wear, ways to give the suit some "volume," or even tips on how to best present and hang it? Maybe most helpful would be the top things to avoid!
Thank you so much for any advice! Also if anyone has any photo inspiration for suit displays they've seen before it'd be awesome to see.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3087 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 07-21-2024 07:15 PM
You should get the book "Spacesuits: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection" by Amanda Young. Amanda Young, th former curator of the spacesuits for the Smithsonian.
In the book it talks about how to display the suits.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52774 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-21-2024 07:44 PM
In addition to that, you might want to check out Adam Savage's video about the Smithsonian's mannequins:
And then his video about building a mannequin:
Zoo Keeper Member
Posts: 57 From: Akron, OH Registered: Feb 2021
posted 07-22-2024 10:16 AM
Here’s some basic museum standards as a jumping off point for further research. It should be noted that materials science in Russian spacesuits is not as well studied as American spacesuits.
Most artifacts are recommended to be kept at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit +/- 4F and a relative humidity of 45% +/- 8%. For spacesuits, lower temperatures and humidity are recommended to slow deterioration. 60-65F and 30-35% is an approximate appropriate range for long-term preservation. Look into appropriate desiccants and climate control systems.
Recommended maximum light levels vary between 50 and 150 lux depending on artifact. For spacesuits, a maximum of 90 lux is recommended. LED lighting is recommended. Florescent, incandescent, infrared, and natural light produce higher UV and heat emission and are not recommended.
The best way to present and “give the suit some volume” is an archival mannequin. These are made of inert materials that will properly support the suit and prevent chemical interactions that slowly degrade the artifact. Many prominent space museums use Dorfman Museum Figures for this purpose as seen in the video that Robert posted, but other comparable companies exist. These are expensive and you get what you pay for when it comes to conservation forms. Retail mannequins are not appropriate for the long-term preservation of spacesuits.
Display case materials for spacesuits should filter UV light and be made of inert materials. If you’re building the case yourself, all construction materials should pass an Oddy Test. Many types of woods, particle boards, MDF boards, rigid PVCs, and others may not be appropriate or recommended. Paints that release low to no VOC’s are recommended and should not come into direct contact with the suit.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52774 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-22-2024 11:17 AM
An upcoming opportunity, if possible to attend — the National Park Services' Preserving the Race for Space symposium coming up in August at Space Center Houston includes this session:
Spacesuit Preservation at the National Air and Space Museum: New Approaches to Public Display
The talk is being given by Lisa Young, the lead conservator for Neil Armstrong's spacesuit, among others. Not only would the talk probably be informative, but you might also have the chance to ask your questions to Lisa afterwards.
Altidude Member
Posts: 149 From: Registered: Jan 2016
posted 07-23-2024 09:40 AM
Diego, I've been down this road before. It is pretty confusing and you want to find a nice balance in which you can still enjoy your collection while still preserving it.
I finally sought help with Tom Spina. He's done a couple of spacesuits for me and did a great job. I just FedEx'd it to him and they did everything with my input and shipped it back. It can be a little expensive, but at least it was done well and museum grade materials.
posted 07-21-2024 06:56 PM
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