The high-tech German-built infrared telescope and its associated lower flexible telescope cavity door are rotated upward to their maximum 58-degree…
Technicians carefully maneuver a spreader bar into place before removing the telescope aperture assembly from NASA’s SOFIA infrared observatory Boeing…
NASA’s new SOFIA observatory shared the ramp with its predecessor, the now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory, during open house at NASA…
NASA’s SOFIA observatory with a NASA F/A-18 trailing in chase soars over California City in the desert north of Edwards…
With the sliding door that covers the SOFIA’s telescope behind him open, USRA’s SOFIA science missions operations director Erick Young…
NASA’s newly painted Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP is pushed back from L-3 Communications’ Integrated Systems hangar in Waco,…
Technicians position the transport cradle as a crane lowers SOFIA’s primary mirror assembly into place prior to finish coating of…
A crane is used to lift SOFIA’s newly coated primary mirror assembly from the floor of NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations…
SOFIA’s primary mirror assembly is lifted above wing level prior to its reinstallation in the telescope cavity of NASA’s 747…
Technicians lift SOFIA’s primary mirror assembly above NASA’s 747SP airborne astronomy aircraft just prior to installation in the telescope cavity.