First light for SOFIA

ToSeek · #1 (**permalink**) 13-September-2004, 04:16 PM

Airborne observatory sees stars for first time

Quote:

For the first time, scientists have peered at the stars using the newly installed telescope aboard NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the largest airborne observatory in the world.

Harvestar · #2 (**permalink**) 13-September-2004, 09:56 PM

Cool! I've been awaiting this for a long time. I first heard about SOFIA in detail in Jan. 2000.

ToSeek · #3 (**permalink**) 09-February-2006, 04:00 PM

Airborne Observatory Completes Major Aircraft Physical Modifications; SOFIA Flight Tests to Begin Fall 2006

Quote:

The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) announced today that its teammate L-3 Communications Integrated Systems has completed all major physical modifications required for initial flight-testing of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

Launch window · #4 (**permalink**) 11-February-2006, 06:11 AM

this mission seems like a great idea

Launch window · #5 (**permalink**) 14-February-2006, 04:25 AM

some bad news

SOFIA Stratospheric Astronomy Telescope In Doubt
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SO..._In_Doubt.html
NASA's newest airborne observatory is scheduled to begin test flights this fall, assuming no technical glitches emerge, but its status in fiscal year 2007 remains highly in doubt, the agency's new budget proposal shows.
The uncertainty surrounding the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy - also known as SOFIA - emerged Monday, when NASA unveiled its budget request for FY 2007. Although the project was budgeted at $48 million for FY 2006, NASA has cut that figure to zero in FY 2007 and beyond.

Launch window · #6 (**permalink**) 14-February-2006, 08:53 AM

NASA leaves jumbo-jet telescope on the runway
http://www.newscientistspace.com/art...he-runway.html
Mission managers on the SOFIA project to fly an infrared telescope aboard a 747 aircraft, are fighting to prevent the project's abandonment under NASA’s budget cuts.

ToSeek · #7 (**permalink**) 15-June-2006, 09:02 PM

NASA Astronomical Observatory Passes Hurdle

Quote:

NASA's Program Management Council concluded that there were no insurmountable technical or programmatic challenges to the continued development of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The agency has developed a technically viable plan to proceed with the development of the SOFIA aircraft, subject to the identification of appropriate funding offsets.

Earlier this year, the decision had been made to discontinue funding in fiscal year 2007 as a result of technical, programmatic, and budget challenges affecting the program. The NASA Program Management Council is chaired by NASA Associate Administrator Rex Geveden and comprised of NASA headquarters and center senior management.

"We placed the program on hold last February because of programmatic and technical issues," said Geveden. "Since that time, we have thoroughly reviewed the program and now are confident that SOFIA can resolve those issues. However, it is not yet clear whether SOFIA represents the best investment of space science funding, and we will need to consider funding options and sources before we decide to continue the mission."

ToSeek · #8 (**permalink**) 10-July-2006, 06:38 PM

SIM To Bear Cost of Resurrecting SOFIA

Quote:

With NASA deciding to press ahead with the SOFIA airborne astronomy observatory, another mission—an expensive planet-hunting spacecraft in development for more than a decade—is being scaled back to a mere technology-development program.

The BA talks more about this here.

ToSeek · #9 (**permalink**) 18-October-2006, 04:48 PM

SOFIA Reborn: High-Flying Observatory Faces Years of Flight Tests

Quote:

After a brush with cancellation early this year, the U.S.-German SOFIA flying astronomical observatory has a new lease on life and a fresh paint job. But before the telescope-equipped jetliner can begin initial science operations, NASA says it must first undergo several years of intensive flight testing.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), in development for the past decade, is slated to take to the skies for the first time this winter. The modified Boeing 747 [image] is due to make a series of brief checkout flights over Waco, Texas, before departing by late February for its new home at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center north of Los Angeles.

NASA intends to spend at least three years putting the SOFIA aircraft through its paces before allowing researchers to use the flying observatory’s German-supplied infrared telescope [image] for the first time. Observation time, however, is expected to be limited until NASA completes another two years of flight testing and declares SOFIA operational.

Ray Taylor, the NASA program executive for SOFIA, said full-fledged science operations could begin as soon as 2012 assuming the final two years of shakedown flights go well.

Doodler · #10 (**permalink**) 18-October-2006, 09:52 PM

I disagree with their assertion that the opening represents the largest on a 747 in flight.

http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/publicaffa.../incidents.htm

Quote:

February 24, 1989 A United Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Honolulu, after a section of the Boeing 747 fuselage tore off in mid-flight. The flight originated in Los Angeles and was destined for Sydney, Australia, with stops in Honolulu and Auckland. The plane landed safely at HIA. Nine people were swept from the plane. One attendant and 20 of the 336 passengers were injured.

I wouldn't call it comfortable by any stretch of the imagination, but the aircraft did maintain airworthiness till landing.

Doodler · #11 (**permalink**) 18-October-2006, 10:00 PM

From a different accident that landed safely. This one a 737.

Now I agree doing it intentionally is a somewhat different ball of wax, but its not as if it's not been done before.

Kaptain K · #12 (**permalink**) 19-October-2006, 02:53 PM

FIVE years of flight tests? If the Air Force operated on that kind of schedule, the P-51 would still be our frontline fighter!

ToSeek · #13 (**permalink**) 04-January-2007, 05:09 PM

SOFIA Update: Airborne Telescope Tests Continue

Quote:

The SOFIA telescope is already functioning and has been used for optical test observations of Polaris from the L-3 runway apron. In September 2006 SOFIA taxied under its own power for the first time since arriving in Waco in 1997. Both low- and high-speed taxi tests have been done, as well as full power engine run-ups. Later that month, upgrades were completed to a critical bulkhead in the tail. The plane has now received its flight-worthy paint job, with registered "tail number" N747NA.

ToSeek · #14 (**permalink**) 27-April-2007, 07:17 PM

Picture: NASA flies world’s largest airborne observatory

Quote:

A new infrared telescope has taken to the air in an extensively modified Boeing 747 under NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) programme.

The telescope, weighing 20 tonnes, was designed and built by Germany’s Aerospace Centre, the DLR, and fitted to the aircraft in what are described by prime contractor L-3 Communications as “the most dramatic physical modifications ever made to a 747”.

ToSeek · #15 (**permalink**) 14-May-2007, 08:35 PM

NASA's SOFIA to be Rededicated on Historic Lindbergh Anniversary

Quote:

On May 21, Charles Lindbergh's grandson Erik will help NASA dedicate a special 747 astronomy aircraft to the trailblazing aviator. May 21 is the 80th anniversary of Lindbergh's historic solo New York-to-Paris flight. The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. CDT, at the Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco.

The unique Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, incorporates a 98.4 inch infrared telescope mounted in a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. The airborne observatory is a partnership between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. Lindbergh's grandson will rededicate the aircraft, called "Clipper Lindbergh," during the event. Lindbergh recreated his grandfather's solo transatlantic crossing in 2002. Along with program managers and scientists, he will be available for live video interviews at the SOFIA aircraft.

The SOFIA 747 was originally christened by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, widow of the famous aviator, when it began service as an airliner in 1977. The plane has a 16-foot-high door in the aft fuselage that will open, allowing the 45,000-pound telescope to capture astronomical data in the infrared spectrum at altitudes that could exceed 40,000 feet. By flying above 90 percent of the Earth's atmospheric water vapor, SOFIA will significantly exceed the capabilities of infrared observatories on Earth.

01101001 · #16 (**permalink**) 15-January-2008, 06:03 PM

San Jose Mercury News: SOFIA to open door on new era of astronomy

It's so nice to see most of the first page of the local-news section filled with an astronomy story, with several big pictures. It helps to have NASA Ames in the area, and Sofia will fly out of Palmdale, but be managed out of Ames.

Quote:

On Monday, what NASA calls the "world's largest airborne observatory" flew into the Bay Area and caught the eye of Peninsula residents - some of whom wondered if perhaps the president were on board. He wasn't - but a 44,100-pound telescope was, and officials at the NASA/Ames Research Center in Mountain View enthusiastically showed off the massive aircraft they hope will one day help them discover the origin of life.

Called the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - or SOFIA for short - the former PanAm commercial airliner has been fully renovated, refurbished and rigged with a reflecting telescope similar to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Early next year, the modified Boeing 747SP is expected to take off from an airfield in Palmdale just northeast of Los Angeles and travel to an altitude of more than 45,000 feet - thousands of feet above the typical airliner - at speeds of over 600 mph, ushering in a new era of astronomy.

NASA SOFIA Mission Pages

Kaptain K · #17 (**permalink**) 15-January-2008, 08:43 PM

Minor (very minor) nit pick. First light refers to first use as an observatory. That hasn't happened yet. Later this year. This is more "first landing at home field".

George · #18 (**permalink**) 15-January-2008, 09:32 PM

It ought to look like this when ready, right?

Don't forget Helios, though the outhouse is indoors on SOFIA.

When birds were consulted regarding these flights they expressed a favorable response.

George · #19 (**permalink**) 15-January-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToSeek

The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. CDT, at the Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco.

That might be worth going to. Just watching it land on a their 150 ft. wide runway should be interesting enough. [The 747 wing span is 195 ft.]

ngc3314 · #20 (**permalink**) 16-January-2008, 04:11 PM