Robert McCall

A sad loss to all us space cadets :( without images generated by Chesley Bonestell, RA Smith and, now, Bob McCall: how can we sell "PIONEERING THE SPACE FRONTIER" to an indifferent (global) public? One can only hope that there will be others up to the task; as Powerpoint CGI just doesn't cut the mustard.

McCall's work inspired countless dreams in my childhood and spurred my imagination. It's likely that no other era in human spaceflight will be so inspired by the traditional arts as was ours, thanks to artists like McCall.

God speed Robert McCall

His work is ubiquitous at JSC; he's the original designer of the MOD logo. And a framed poster he did is hanging on my wall. A visionary who will be greatly missed.

This was a huge loss for both NASA and the art world.

I can point to a specific painting by McCall in his and Isaac Asimov's "Our World in Space" (1974) that clinched my decision to pursue a career in the space program, a rendering of a view from inside a shuttle cockpit as it approached a space station. Decades later I had the privilege to instruct astronauts to do precisely that task.

He was an inspiring talent who was able to convey through his work visions of both the present and future that reached into the soul. Thank God that he leaves his work behind for all of us still to enjoy, and in which future generations can find vistas that awaken their own dreams.

(I hope now that he has the opportunity to do some painting out on location in the field...even if it seems like he already had.)

I saw this mans pictures and concept art in almost every science or sci-fi magazine of the day as a kid.Its sad such a great visionary has gone on to that great air-lock in the sky.

The death of Robert McCall has the feeling of loss more so than the end of Constellation for me. I basically knew the space program was over after X-33. Got upset about it and spent considerable time coming to terms with the new reality. So at this point nothing that NASA does has much of an impact, personally. However, I explained the current situation to some artist friends in LA what is going on with NASA and the space program. Much to my surprise, they became very emotional and almost cried. I inquired, they explained, hope for humanity, the future, where are we headed as a species. I have to wonder how much of the general population out there has similar feelings.

I hope the new plan is real and not simply a "red herring" to be used as a distraction as NASA is dismantled. My aerospace associates are excited about the new plan. Time will tell.

In the mean time, we really need the art and inspiration of the likes of Robert McCall and other space artist.