Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Robotech television series was first broadcast in 1985. This single television broadcast stitched together three unrelated Japanese anime series into a coherent American saga. The show was created to fill 85 episodes for weekday syndication through a marketing maneuver by Harmony Gold USA.
The Robotech franchise combines Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA. These three originally distinct stories with no narrative connection were woven into a single timeline by Harmony Gold USA. The resulting show introduced millions of Americans to the concept of mecha anime.
Robotech II The Sentinels was canceled after only three episodes were produced. The cancellation was attributed to the collapse of the Yen-Dollar exchange rate which made production costs prohibitive for the toy partner Matchbox. The series was planned to follow the adventures of Rick and Lisa Hunter but was left incomplete due to financial constraints.
The Robotech novels were written under the pseudonym Jack McKinney. These books fleshed out the chronology with greater detail than the original animation and became an unofficial canon for many fans. The novels were part of a broader effort to expand the universe through various media formats.
The Robotech The Shadow Chronicles film was released in 2006. This film served as a direct sequel to the original series and bridged the gap between the New Generation and the future. It was produced by Harmony Gold and FUNimation as a labor of love to showcase the enduring appeal of the franchise.