The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA during its first test flight with the telescope door fully open on 18 December 2009 over California's Mojave Desert. The 2.7-metre telescope built in Germany can be seen in the opening in the fuselage of the Boeing 747SP. The test flight with the door open enabled the engineers to experimentally examine the air movements in and around the telescope and door for the first time.
