Scientists are busy preparing for the "First Light" flight of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA.
Spotlight
SOFIA Quick-FactsAircraft, telescope and historical hightlights.
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Sensational SOFIA
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA arrived at Dryden this summer, marking a transition from significant modification of the aircraft to accommodate the largest airborne telescope to the start of flight tests, completion of subsystems integration and, eventually, to the task of exploring the heavens.
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Dryden News
SOFIA Imaging Systems Tested During Nighttime Operations
This close-up of the German-built telescope assembly seen through the open telescope cavity door in the side of NASA's SOFIA 747SP offers a view of both the primary and secondary mirrors, the latter a small black circle in the center supported by three braces. At the bottom of the opening is the white lower flexible door at its lowest retraction. The dark semi-circle on the right is the telescope aperture that follows the telescope in elevation as the assembly moves. The orange wiring is platform instrumentation and will aid in the analysis of the aircraft's flight performance with the upper rigid door both open and closed. (NASA Photo/ Tom Tschida)
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy science team completed checkout of optical star tracking camera systems and conducted telescope assembly preparation exercises during nighttime testing in late September outside the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
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This close-up of the German-built telescope assembly seen through the open telescope cavity door in the side of NASA's SOFIA 747SP offers a view of both the primary and secondary mirrors, the latter a small black circle in the center supported by three braces. At the bottom of the opening is the white lower flexible door at its lowest retraction. The dark semi-circle on the right is the telescope aperture that follows the telescope in elevation as the assembly moves. The orange wiring is platform instrumentation and will aid in the analysis of the aircraft's flight performance with the upper rigid door both open and closed. (NASA Photo/ Tom Tschida)The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy science team completed checkout of optical star tracking camera systems and conducted telescope assembly preparation exercises during nighttime testing in late September outside the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
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Latest News
Science Instruments Ready for SOFIA Airborne Telescope
NASA Awards SOFIA Engineering Contract Option
NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center has awarded a contract modification for further developmental engineering on SOFIA.
Astronomers Assess SOFIA Telescope Systems
Astronomers for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, program recently conducted five nights of telescope testing
News and Events Features
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NASA Science Aircraft Get New Home
Earth and space science aircraft fit nicely into Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility.
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SOFIA Science Mission Operations Director Selected
Erick Young, a widely recognized authority on infrared astronomy, has been appointed science mission operations director for NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA.
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HIPO Photometer Installed on SOFIA Telescope
The High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation, or HIPO, instrument was installed on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope Nov. 17.
 "Several NASA science aircraft occupied the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility")
Overview
SOFIA OverviewNASA is developing the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - or SOFIA - as a world-class airborne observatory that will complement the Hubble, Spitzer, Herschel and James Webb space telescopes and major Earth-based telescopes.
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› Infrared Astronomy
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 "SOFIA update")