Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1980s - Space Exploration Makes Headlines" Signed lower right. Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands The 20th Century Series 60c Space Exploration Makes Headlines stamp issued January 15, 2000. During the 1980s, space exploration continued to make important contributions to mankind's knowledge of the universe. With the development of NASA's space shuttle program, the high cost of space flights was dramatically reduced. Designed to transport communications satellites and probes for deployment in space, the space shuttle can be reused as many as 100 times. NASA's first space shuttle -- Columbia -- launched on April 12, 1981, marking the first time that solid fuel rockets were used for a U.S.-manned launch. In 1986, the Soviets launched the MIR space station, designed to serve as the core of a permanent manned orbiting facility. With the tragic explosion of the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger and subsequent loss of life on January 28, 1986, however, America's space shuttle flights were postponed indefinitely while NASA redesigned the shuttle for safety. Image Size: 9.25 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 14 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B16675 / B16676) See More