In 1973, NASA published the first volume of the NASA Historical Data Book, a hefty tome containing mostly tabular data on the resources of the space agency between 1958 and 1968. There, broken into detailed tables, were the facts and figures associated with the budget, facilities, procurement, installations, and personnel of NASA during that formative decade. In 1988, NASA reissued that first volume of the data book and added two additional volumes on the agency's programs and projects, one each for 1958-1968 and 1969-1978. NASA published a fourth volume in 1994 that addressed NASA resources for the period between 1969 and 1978. This fifth volume of the NASA Historical Data Book is a continuation of those earlier efforts. This fundamental reference tool presents information, much of it statistical, documenting the development of four critical areas of NASA responsibility for the period between 1979 and 1988. This volume includes detailed information on the development and operation of launch systems, space transportation, human spaceflight, and space science during this era. As such, it contains in-depth statistical information about the early Space Shuttle program through the return to flight in 1988, the early efforts to build a space station, the development of new launch systems, and the launching of seventeen space science missions.

This volume of the NASA Historical Data Book is the seventh in the series that describes NASA's programs and projects. Covering the years 1989 through 1998, it includes the areas of launch systems, human spaceflight, and space science, continuing the volumes that addressed these topics during NASA's previous decades. Each chapter presents information, much of it statistical, addressing funding, management, and details of programs and missions. This decade, which followed the Agency's return to flight after the Challenger accident, was especially productive. Upgraded expendable launch vehicles sent missions into Earth orbit and toward the outer reaches of space; 66 Space Shuttle missions were successfully launched; the Space Station received its first components; and 30 space science missions, most of which met their scientific goals, began returning scientific data to Earth. These events took place in an environment both of international cooperation and one in which NASA learned to make the best use possible of its resources. A forthcoming companion volume will describe NASA's Earth science missions; aeronautics and space research activities; tracking and space operations; facilities; resources; and personnel areas.

This volume of the NASA Historical Data Book is the seventh in the series that describes NASA's programs and projects. Covering the years 1989 through 1998, it includes the areas of launch systems, human spaceflight, and space science, continuing the volumes that addressed these topics during NASA's previous decades. Each chapter presents information, much of it statistical, addressing funding, management, and details of programs and missions. This decade, which followed the Agency's return to flight after the Challenger accident, was especially productive. Upgraded expendable launch vehicles sent missions into Earth orbit and toward the outer reaches of space; 66 Space Shuttle missions were successfully launched; the Space Station received its first components; and 30 space science missions, most of which met their scientific goals, began returning scientific data to Earth. These events took place in an environment both of international cooperation and one in which NASA learned to make the best use possible of its resources. A forthcoming companion volume will describe NASA's Earth science missions; aeronautics and space research activities; tracking and space operations; facilities; resources; and personnel areas.