An F/A-18 mission support aircraft shadows NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP during a functional check flight Dec. 9, 2009. The flight included an evaluation of the aircraft's systems, including engines, flight controls and communication.
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Ground crewmen prepare to load the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating.May 1, 2008
NASA Photo / Tony Landis