With the large door over its 2.5-meter German-built telescope wide open, NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP aircraft soars over Southern California's high desert.
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
ED10-0182-01
With the large door over its 2.5-meter German-built telescope wide open, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP aircraft soars over Southern California’s high desert during flight tests to prepare the observatory for Early Science missions. When flight tests are completed, the SOFIA will be a fully capable observatory cleared for astronomical science flights at up to 45,000 feet altitude.July 13, 2010
(NASA photo / Jim Ross)