posted 02-23-2019 04:11 AM               

Space Cover #503: SOFIA observatory

SOFIA which stands for Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy is a Boeing 747SP aircraft delivered to Pan American World Airways in May 1977, later purchased by United Airlines in February 1986 and removed from active service in December 1995, and finally purchased by NASA in 1997.

After some modifications made in Waco, TX, the aircraft was uploaded with a reflector telescope of 2,5 m (8,2 ft) and is managed by NASA 80 percent and DLR (Deustches Zentrum fúr Luft-und Raumfahrt, ie. German Space Agency) 20 percent. SOFIA is currently operative and from 2010 is observing planets, stars and galaxies in the band of infrared astronomy.

In January 2011 instrument GREAT (German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies) was installed onboard aircraft, and is commemorated with the cover above shown.

SOFIA is the successor of the Kuiper Airbone Observatory, and this one of Galileo II and Galileo I.

A long history of telescopes onboard airplanes operated by NASA can be followed by collectors.