Artist: Robert Rauschenberg, 1969
Media: Lithograph on canvas
Description: In 1969, Robert Rauschenberg was invited to witness one of the most significant social events of the decade: the launch of Apollo 11, the shuttle that would place man on the moon.
NASA provided Rauschenberg with detailed scientific maps, charts and photographs of the launch, which formed the basis of the Stoned moon series − comprising thirty-three lithographs printed at Gemini GEL.
The Stoned moon series is a celebration of man’s peaceful exploration of space as a ‘responsive, responsible collaboration between man and technology.'
The combination of art and science is something that Rauschenberg continued to investigate throughout the 1960s in what he calls his ‘blowing fuses period.'
Image Credit: Robert Rauschenberg
All rights reserved
Courtesy: NASA Art Program
Artist: Robert T. McCall, 1969
Description: Human eyes directly observed the far side of the Moon for the first time on Christmas Eve 1968. Robert McCall imagines the sight of the rocket engine firing to propel the spacecraft out of lunar orbit for its return to Earth.
Image Credit: Robert T. McCall
All rights reserved
Courtesy: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Artist: John Solie, 1995
Media: Oil
Description: The painting depicts the historic servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope in December 1992.
Kathryn Thorton releases a defective solar panel into the heavens as another astronaut performs duties in the space shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay.
The solar array and the wide-field planetary camera were some of the major units serviced during the STS-61 mission.
Image Credit: John Solie
All rights reserved
Courtesy: NASA Art Program
Artist: Daniel Zeller, 2006
Media: Ink on paper
Description: The basis of Daniel Zeller’s drawing is the intricate surface of Saturn’s moon Titan, as recorded by the Cassini spacecraft. Cassini arrived at Saturn in July 2004 after a seven-year voyage, beginning a four-year mission.
Image Credit: Daniel Zeller
All rights reserved
Courtesy: NASA Art Program
Artist: Norman Rockwell, 1965
Description: Astronauts John Young and Gus Grissom are suited for the first flight of the Gemini program in March 1965. NASA loaned Norman Rockwell a Gemini spacesuit in order to make this painting as accurate as possible.
Image Credit: Norman Rockwell
All rights reserved
Courtesy: NASA Art Program