The Boeing 747SP named SOFIA is the largest flying observatory in the world, according to NASA. SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is designed to observe the infrared universe. It provides data that can't be picked up by any other telescope on the ground or in space. Click through the gallery to learn more about SOFIA.
The Boeing 747SP named SOFIA is the largest flying observatory in the world, according to NASA. SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is designed to observe the infrared universe. It provides data that can't be picked up by any other telescope on the ground or in space. Click through the gallery to learn more about SOFIA.
NASA
The Boeing 747SP type is rare. Out of more than 1,500 747s built, only 45 SPs rolled off the assembly line. Fewer than five examples remain airworthy today. It's essentially a 747-200 model, except it's 47 feet shorter. The "SP" stands for Special Performance -- and in it lived up to its name. In its day, the SP could fly faster, higher, and farther than any other airliner.
The Boeing 747SP type is rare. Out of more than 1,500 747s built, only 45 SPs rolled off the assembly line. Fewer than five examples remain airworthy today. It's essentially a 747-200 model, except it's 47 feet shorter. The "SP" stands for Special Performance -- and in it lived up to its name. In its day, the SP could fly faster, higher, and farther than any other airliner.
Boeing
NASA bought its 747SP on February 5, 1997, after it had served Pan Am and United Airlines. It took NASA 13 years to remodel it, install new equipment, put in retractable fuselage doors and to test it. NASA contractor L-3 strengthened SOFIA's exterior skin to accommodate this 20-ton German telescope. Finally, on November 30, 2010, SOFIA embarked on its first full science research flight.
NASA bought its 747SP on February 5, 1997, after it had served Pan Am and United Airlines. It took NASA 13 years to remodel it, install new equipment, put in retractable fuselage doors and to test it. NASA contractor L-3 strengthened SOFIA's exterior skin to accommodate this 20-ton German telescope. Finally, on November 30, 2010, SOFIA embarked on its first full science research flight.
L-3 / Brenda Szuch
Because SOFIA only performs observation missions at night, it's often called the Vampire Jet. The telescope cannot gather valuable data in daylight. Also, exposing the telescope to direct sunlight would destroy its optics and create a fire hazard. A flying observatory has advantages over a satellite telescope like the orbiting Hubble, says Randolf Klein, SOFIA instrument scientist. Unlike satellites, a plane "can fly to any longitude or latitude on the planet to observe a special event."
Because SOFIA only performs observation missions at night, it's often called the Vampire Jet. The telescope cannot gather valuable data in daylight. Also, exposing the telescope to direct sunlight would destroy its optics and create a fire hazard. A flying observatory has advantages over a satellite telescope like the orbiting Hubble, says Randolf Klein, SOFIA instrument scientist. Unlike satellites, a plane "can fly to any longitude or latitude on the planet to observe a special event."
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
This mission called for studying 10 waypoints for 10 targets, including Jupiter's moon Titan and the planet Mars. Our route would take us across the western two-thirds of the continental US -- from California to Missouri and Indiana, Washington state down to Nevada and New Mexico.
This mission called for studying 10 waypoints for 10 targets, including Jupiter's moon Titan and the planet Mars. Our route would take us across the western two-thirds of the continental US -- from California to Missouri and Indiana, Washington state down to Nevada and New Mexico.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
After takeoff from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, scientists run multiple checklists and prep for the scheduled 6 hours and 55 minutes of observation time. SOFIA is capable of studying the birth and death of stars, the formation of new solar systems, planets, comets and asteroids.
After takeoff from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, scientists run multiple checklists and prep for the scheduled 6 hours and 55 minutes of observation time. SOFIA is capable of studying the birth and death of stars, the formation of new solar systems, planets, comets and asteroids.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
Infrared light energy is just one strata of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes visible light, X-rays, radio waves and other forms. Many objects in space emit almost all of their energy at infrared wavelengths. But they are invisible in visible light.
Infrared light energy is just one strata of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes visible light, X-rays, radio waves and other forms. Many objects in space emit almost all of their energy at infrared wavelengths. But they are invisible in visible light.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
Part of the telescope is visible from inside the cabin. Heavy turbulence can cause the telescope to de-lock from its target. But even during moderate, choppy turbulence, it stays stable due to its spherical bearing, shock absorbers and gyroscopes.
Part of the telescope is visible from inside the cabin. Heavy turbulence can cause the telescope to de-lock from its target. But even during moderate, choppy turbulence, it stays stable due to its spherical bearing, shock absorbers and gyroscopes.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
SOFIA Mission Director Randy Grashuis checks the telescope's parameters.
SOFIA Mission Director Randy Grashuis checks the telescope's parameters.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
At 35,000 feet, a custom door opens on SOFIA's left side, revealing the telescope in an unpressurized part of the aircraft. All airplane observatories position their telescopes on left side, said flight planner Allan W. Meyer. Flying observatories get more data that way because they can slow down the rising and setting of objects by heading in that direction.
At 35,000 feet, a custom door opens on SOFIA's left side, revealing the telescope in an unpressurized part of the aircraft. All airplane observatories position their telescopes on left side, said flight planner Allan W. Meyer. Flying observatories get more data that way because they can slow down the rising and setting of objects by heading in that direction.
NASA
The telescope has 6 degrees of movement of cross elevation, so the plane has to keep any target within a 6-degree window. "We ask for 1 degree course changes about every four to five minutes," Grashuis says. This is vividly demonstrated as galaxies and stars are displayed across monitors throughout cabin.
The telescope has 6 degrees of movement of cross elevation, so the plane has to keep any target within a 6-degree window. "We ask for 1 degree course changes about every four to five minutes," Grashuis says. This is vividly demonstrated as galaxies and stars are displayed across monitors throughout cabin.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com
At 05:55 a.m., the de-throttling of the engines indicates our initial descent and that our scientific mission will be drawing to a close. Dawn begins to subtly paint the horizon as the fuselage door closes, putting the telescope to bed. With flaps fully deployed on approach, we touch down on time -- at 06:22 a.m. -- after 9 hours, 46 minutes aloft.
At 05:55 a.m., the de-throttling of the engines indicates our initial descent and that our scientific mission will be drawing to a close. Dawn begins to subtly paint the horizon as the fuselage door closes, putting the telescope to bed. With flaps fully deployed on approach, we touch down on time -- at 06:22 a.m. -- after 9 hours, 46 minutes aloft.
Chris Sloan/AirwaysMag.com