Liftoff at 15 Seconds

Space Shuttle Columbia rises from Kennedy Space Center on its third flight into space, on March 22, 1982. Jack Perlmutter infuses the painting with color: green earth, red fire, and blue sky.

This work is on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Mall building from May 28 to Oct. 9, 2011, as part of the NASA | Art: 50 Years of Exploration exhibition.