Mark Schuler (American, B. 1951) "European Remote Sensing Satellite" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Great Britain 22p Europe in Space stamp issued April 23, 1991. Water covers more than seventy percent of the Earth's surface, providing means of transportation and livelihoods to millions of inhabitants. The oceans' sheer volume and impact on the planet's ecosystems have generated decades of scientific study. The polar ice caps -- their stability and effect on surrounding waters -- are the focal point of continual scientific research as well. To provide more sophisticated satellite systems for ocean, coastal, ice and meteorological applications, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed its first remote-sensing satellite -- the ERS 1. Its mission will be to enhance scientific understanding of and collect data on global ocean processes, including effects on coastal zones and ice regions. Such data will be used to define and develop offshore oil activities, fisheries and maritime navigation while monitoring pollution. Two planned missions in the early 1990s will provide the ESA with data for five to six years. This artwork depicts the ERS 1 high above a polar ice cap. Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 20 x 18 in. Unframed. (B13196)