Gherman Alexeyvich Komlev (Russian, 1933 - 2000) "'Siren' Experiment on Space Station" Original Watercolor 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 U.S.S.R. 15K Siren Crystal experiment issued June 30, 1978. During a week-long stay on board Salyut 6-Soyuz 29 Space Station, the Intercosmos crew of Soyuz 30 carried out a program of research and experiments, some of which had been designed jointly by scientists of the U.S.S.R. and the Polish People's Republic. Medical and biological research, aimed at assessing the influence of space travel on a human body with a particular investigation of the circulatory and cardiovascular systems, was performed. Observation and the photography of Earth's surfaces, and certain technical experiments connected with the functioning of on-board systems and of the orbital complex as a whole were also carried out. On the afternoon of June 29, 1978, the crew executed the "Siren" experiment aimed at studying the processes of obtaining semiconducting materials in weightlessness. The cosmonauts put into an electric furnace, ampoules with source material for growing valuable semiconducting monocrystals. During one of the experiments a triple semiconducting material was developed incorporating cadmium, tellurium and mercury. These semiconducting materials are used to make detectors for infrared telescopes capable of solving many scientific riddles including laser communication, the investigation of pollution, and disease detection. This artwork features the symbolic picture of that crystal experiment. After successfully completing the program of planned research and experiments on board the Salyut 6-Soyuz 29 Space Station, Soyuz 30 returned to earth on July 5, 1978. Image Size: 7.75 x 9 in. Overall Size: 15.25 x 19.5 in. Unframed. (B05904)