Research in Nasa History

As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, historians as well as scientists and engineers could look back on a record of accomplishment. Much has been written about the evolution of NASA's multifaceted programs and the people who carried them out. Yet much remains to be done, and we hope this publication will facilitate research in this important field. As an active internal function, NASA history also marks its 50th year in 2009. As is evident from this publication, the various NASA Centers carry out historical and archival functions. Research in NASA History describes the efforts of NASA to capture and record the events of its past and to make that past accessible to NASA personnel, the historical community, and researchers. It describes the research opportunities and accomplishments of NASA's Agencywide history program. It also offers a concise guide to the historical documentary resources available at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC; at NASA facilities located around the country; and through the federal records systems. This third edition of Research in NASA History replaces the first two editions published in 1992 and 1997, respectively. Those editions were preceded by History at NASA (1986), prepared by Sylvia Fries, and the Guide to Research in NASA History, first issued in 1976 and written by Alex Roland (second through seventh editions). As an introduction to the field of space history, researchers may wish to consult Critical Issues in the History of Spaceflight (NASA SP-2006-4702), edited by Steven J. Dick and Roger D. Launius and published in 2006. Readers will find there some measure of the riches that await researchers in NASA history.