Space

A Nonprofit Needs Your Help To Restore A Historic NASA Command Center

The Apollo Mission Control Center helped revolutionize space exploration, but a group says the room is now in disrepair.

A Nonprofit Needs Your Help To Restore A Historic NASA Command Center
NASA
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When Neil Armstrong said, "One small step for man...," he was radioing back to the Apollo Mission Control Center. 

Scientists working in that center planned, coordinated and led decades of missions that revolutionized spaceflight and explored the moon. 

But that room is in disrepair, and Space Center Houston wants to bring it back to its condition at the time of the 1969 moon landing. 

Everything from monitors and switches to ashtrays and coffee cups will be restored or replicated. 

But the nonprofit estimates it needs $5 million to make the project a success. 

Space Center Houston created a Kickstarter campaign to raise $250,000 by mid-August, when it hopes to start renovations. 

So far, it seems on pace to meet its mark. As of July 24, donations had reached roughly $180,000. 

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And the city of Webster, Texas, has already pledged $3.5 million.

However, one group that likely won't be donating much is NASA itself. 

Though the command center is on NASA property, the nonprofit says NASA doesn't have enough in its budget to contribute. The CEO told CNN, "They're future focused."