Preface

Since the idea of a reusable rocket-plane was first seriously- studied by Eugen S„nger in the 1930s, the concept has exerted strong influence on the development of human spaceflight. In the United States, detailed proposals for a reusable space vehicle were developed as early as the 1950s, and several projects reached the design and test stage in the 1960s. Initially, the Space Shuttle was envisioned as a fully reusable, commercial spaceplane. During the early 1970s, however, its development faced considerable obstacles, budgetary shortfalls, some congressional opposition, increasing public apathy, and design difficulties. What emerged was a smaller, semi-reusable vehicle, advertised as an economical and efficient means of space transport. Whether the Shuttle has fulfilled these goals is a topic of some controversy. Even so, the Space Shuttle has been the cornerstone of the U.S. space program, and the driving force behind much of the budget and programs of NASA for over two decades.

Throughout the long history of the Space Shuttle concept, numerous books, studies, reports, and articles have been written. This selective, annotated bibliography discusses those works judged to be most essential for researchers writing scholarly studies on the Space Shuttle's history. A thematic arrangement of material concerning the Shuttle will, it is hoped, bring clarity and simplicity to such a complex subject. Subjects include the precursors of the Shuttle, its design and development, testing and evaluation, and operations. Other topics revolve around the Challenger accident and its aftermath, promotion of the Shuttle, science on the Shuttle, commercial uses, the Shuttle's military implications, its astronaut crew, the Shuttle and international relations, the management of the Shuttle program, and juvenile literature. Along with a summary of the contents of each item, judgments have been made on the quality, originality, or importance of some of these publications. An index concludes this work.

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of those individuals who aided in the preparation of this bibliography. Lee D. Saegesser was instrumental in obtaining those documents listed below; J.D. Hunley edited and critiqued the text; Patricia Shephard typed the manuscript; the staffs of the NASA Headquarters Library and the Scientific and Technical Information Program provided assistance in locating bibliographical materials; and the NASA Headquarters Printing and Graphics Office developed the layout and handled printing.

This is the first publication in a new series of special studies prepared by the NASA History Office. The Monographs in Aerospace History series is designed to provide a wide variety of studies relative to the history of aeronautics and space. This series' publications are intended to be tightly focused in terms of subject, relatively short in length, and reproduced in an inexpensive format to allow timely and broad dessimination to researchers in aerospace history. Suggestions for additional publications in the Monographs in Aerospace History series are welcome.

ROGER D. LAUNIUS

Chief Historian

National Aeronautics and Space Administration