German Receiver GREAT installed on SOFIA for the first time
The German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, GREAT, in front of the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, prior to boarding at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility in Palmdale, California.
From left to right: Helmut Wiesemeyer, Rolf Güsten (Principal Investigator), Jürgen Stutzki (Co-Principal Investigator), Stefan Heyminck, Karl Jacobs, Urs Graf, and Oliver Ricken.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
German Receiver GREAT
Front view of the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, GREAT on its transport cart. The two cryostats host sensitive Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) detectors for terahertz radiation. The operating temperature of these detectors is -269°C (4 Kelvin). The frontal plate while it was being mounted on the telescope flange.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT being mounted on SOFIA
Front view of the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, GREAT on its transport cart. The two cryostats host sensitive Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) detectors for terahertz radiation. The operating temperature of these detectors is -269°C (4 Kelvin). The frontal plate while it was being mounted on the telescope flange (B/W image).
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT on the forklift
The German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, GREAT, on the forklift. Almost 700 kilograms of delicate electronics, including cart, were loaded onto the aircraft with utmost care.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT on the forklift
The German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, GREAT, on the forklift.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT is moved to the rear section of the aircraft
Once inside, GREAT is moved to the rear section of the aircraft. On the left are: Urs Graf and Stefan Heyminck, and on the right: Sal Ramirez and Steve Robinson.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT approaching the telescope
GREAT approaching the telescope. In the foreground is Steve Robinson, crew chief of SOFIA. GREAT is in fron of the telescope flange, awaiting final inspection and clearance. The pressure coupler inside the telescope tube is visible in the image.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT approaching the telescope
GREAT approaching the telescope.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
Final inspection and cleaning of the mounting plate
Final inspection and cleaning of the mounting plate before mating with the telescope. Rainer Strecker (DSI quality Management) works with the mounting plate: Alvin Mitchell and Rolf Güsten are in the background.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT mounted on the telescope flange
GREAT mounted on the telescope flange, which is in the nominal position (telescope at 40 degrees). During observation, GREAT will move with the telescope (+/- 20 degrees).
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
GREAT was successfully installed
The team is happy as GREAT was installed successfully on the telescope flange. On the left, Helmut Wiesemeyer, Oliver Ricken, Christoph Leinz, Urs Graf, and Rolf Güsten. On the right, Stefan Heyminck, Jürgen Stutzki, and Karl Jacobs.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida.
Happy faces after a long day's work
Happy faces after a long day's work - the GREAT team and DAOF support team have worked closely together. Mission accomplished.
In the front row and standing from left to right: Zaheer Ali, Sal Ramirez, Conrad Castrellon, Chris Korber, Tim Krall and Gus Carreno.
Standing in the back row, from left to right: Kevin Reilly, Steve Robinson, Oliver Ricken, Charlie Kaminski, Urs Graf, Jurgen Stützki, Rolf Güsten, Karl Jacobs, Stefan Heyminck, Mike Moore, Marco Lentini, Alvin Mitchell and Rainer Strecker.
Credit:
NASA/Tom Tschida..