1980
February 19
NASA’s Solar Max Satellite launches to monitor the Sun.
April 9–13
The first meeting of the Meteorite Working Group is held under LPI administration.
July 31
McGetchin Hall, named after former Director Thomas McGetchin, is dedicated. The new building houses the computer center(s) and photolibrary.
August 7–8
Eleven members of the planetary geology community meet for the first time as the Planetary Geology Review Panel. The group is tasked with advising the Planetary Geology Discipline Scientist on the merits of approximately 30 research proposals.
August 12
The LPI Computer Center undergoes major expansion with the installation of its new state-of-the-art computer room, housing a Digital Equipment Corporation VAX 11/780, replacing the former PDP 11/45.
November 10–12
The Conference on Multi-Ring Basins: Formation and Evolution is held in Houston. Convened by Peter Schultz and Carroll Ann Hodges, the conference results in the publication of the volume Multi-Ring Basins.
November 13–15
The Workshop on Apollo 16 is held at the LPI. Convened by Odette James and Fred Hörz, the workshop is the first of a series of meetings organized by the Lunar and Planetary Sample Team (LAPST) as part of the Highlands Initiative, an effort aimed at the improved understanding of the early evolution of the lunar crust.