Chris Calle (B. 1961) "Early Space Exploration" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. For centuries, mankind has gazed into the shimmering heavens and dreamed of traveling through the great expanses of outer space . . . to discover the secrets which exist far above his own planet Earth. To assist man in his quest to conquer space, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was formed in America. Since its beginning in 1958, NASA has been responsible for many remarkable accomplishments. For example, on May 5, 1961, NASA sent Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, into space. Then, just eight years later, on July 16, 1969, NASA sent the Apollo II, carrying astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, on a journey to the Moon. As a result, America became the first nation on Earth to put a man on the surface of the Moon. In addition, in 1973, NASA was responsible for launching Skylab . . . a space-borne laboratory which circled the earth for nearly seven years. However, NASA's current project -- the famed Space Shuttle -- is perhaps its greatest accomplishment. For, since the first flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia on May 21, 1981, this reusable spacecraft has been landing and taking off again and again with computer-like precision . . . bringing mankind closer to routine space travel. Image Size: 22.75 x 18.5 in. Overall Size: 2.25 x 21.25 in. Unframed. (B11741)