Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Astronauts Planting U.N. Flag on Planet" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood Eyewitness to History U.S./Russia Joint Space Triptych issued May 29, 1992. Once they were rivals in the conquest of space. But one day the U.S. and Russia together plan a mission to a planet named for the Roman god of war. Mars has long beckoned to the men of Earth. Recently, tales of canals have given way to data from unmanned probes. Drier than any Earthly desert, Mars is still the most likely of the planets to harbor life. Its atmosphere contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and even water vapor. And evidence suggests that at one time water flowed there. In fact, scientists theorize Mars once had enough water to cover the entire planet 33 feet deep! The puzzling question remains: Where did it all go? Image Size: 23.5 x 19.25 in. Overall Size: 29 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B13851)