Sandwiched between the deep blue of the high-altitude sky and the Southern California mountains, NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 safety chase aircraft pass in review during a test flight.
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
ED10-0182-04
Sandwiched between the deep blue of the high-altitude sky and the Southern California mountains, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 safety chase aircraft pass in review during a test flight. When flight tests are completed, the SOFIA will be a fully capable observatory cleared for astronomical science missions at up to 45,000 feet altitude.July 13, 2010
(NASA photo / Jim Ross)