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Mar 10, 2008
NASA's SOFIA flying observatory was captured in striking relief during nighttime telescope characterization tests in Palmdale, Calif., in March 2008
The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...
AFRC
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May 1, 2008
A NASA Technician directs loading of the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into a C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating
Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary...
AFRC
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May 1, 2008
Ground crewmen prepare to load the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating
Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary...
AFRC
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Feb 2, 2006
A rotating external door (white) was installed over the telescope cavity in the rear fuselage of NASA's SOFIA Boeing 747SP during modifications in Waco, Texas
A rotating external door (white) was installed over the telescope cavity in the rear fuselage of NASA's SOFIA Boeing...
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Apr 26, 2007
With landing gear extended, the NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP cruises over central Texas on its first checkout flight
With landing gear extended, the NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP cruises over...
AFRC
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Nov 12, 2008
Scientists carefully examine data being received during nighttime line operations testing of the SOFIA airborne observatory's 2.5-meter infrared telescope
Scientists carefully examine data being received during nighttime line operations testing of the SOFIA airborne...
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Jan 14, 2008
NASA's new SOFIA observatory shared the ramp with its predecessor, the now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory, during open house at NASA Ames Research Center
NASA's new SOFIA observatory shared the ramp with its predecessor, the now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory,...
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May 10, 2007
NASA's highly modified Boeing 747SP SOFIA observatory banks low over the Texas countryside as it heads for landing at Waco to conclude its second check flight
NASA's highly modified Boeing 747SP SOFIA observatory banks low over the Texas countryside as it heads for landing...
AFRC
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Jun 27, 2007
Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, rededicated the SOFIA Boeing 747SP as the Clipper Lindbergh at NASA Dryden on June 27, 2007
Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, rededicated the SOFIA Boeing 747SP as the Clipper...
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Jan 15, 2008
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden...
AFRC
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Jan 17, 2008
Two large science aircraft, a DC-8 flying laboratory and the SOFIA 747SP, are based at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Two large science aircraft, a DC-8 flying laboratory and the SOFIA 747SP, are based at NASA's Dryden Aircraft...
AFRC
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Feb 2, 2006
The German-built 100-inch telescope that is the heart of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is nestled in the SOFIA 747's rear fuselage
The German-built 100-inch telescope that is the heart of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is...
AFRC
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Jan 15, 2008
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory touches down at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA, as it arrives at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory touches down at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., as it arrives at its new...
AFRC
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Jan 14, 2008
NASA's now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory shared the limelight with its successor, the SOFIA observatory, during an open house at Ames Research Center
NASA's now-retired Kuiper Airborne Observatory shared the limelight with its successor, the SOFIA observatory,...
AFRC
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Jan 17, 2008
The cavernous expanse of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., now houses NASA's DC-8 science laboratory and SOFIA infrared observatory
The cavernous expanse of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., now houses NASA's DC-8 science...
AFRC
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Nov 12, 2008
The 2.5-meter infrared telescope peers out from its cavity in the SOFIA airborne observatory during nighttime line operations testing at Palmdale, Calif.
The 2.5-meter infrared telescope peers out from its cavity in the SOFIA airborne observatory during nighttime line...
AFRC
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Jan 17, 2008
The Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is now home to two large science aircraft, NASA's SOFIA observatory and a DC-8 science laboratory
The Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is now home to two large science aircraft, NASA's SOFIA...
AFRC
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Apr 26, 2007
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was airborne for almost two hours during its first check flight at Waco, Texas on April 26, 2007
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was airborne for almost two hours during its first...
AFRC
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Jan 17, 2008
NASA'S SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP (front) and DC-8 flying laboratory (rear) are now housed at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
NASA'S SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP (front) and DC-8 flying laboratory (rear) are now housed at the Dryden...
AFRC
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Oct 11, 2007
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory and F/A-18 safety chase during the first series of test flights to verify the flight performance of the modified Boeing 747SP
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, arrived at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center...
AFRC
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Oct 11, 2007
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory lifts off on the first of a series of test flights to verify the flight performance of the highly modified Boeing 747SP
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, arrived at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center...
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May 31, 2007
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP flies over NASA DFRC after a ferry flight from Waco, Texas
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP flies over NASA's Dryden Flight...
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May 31, 2007
The SOFIA flight crew descends the stairs after ferrying the 747SP airborne observatory from Waco, TX, to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California
The SOFIA flight crew, consisting of Co-pilot Gordon Fullerton; DFRC, Pilot Bill Brocket; DFRC, Test Conductor Marty...
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May 31, 2007
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP flares for landing at Edwards AFB after a ferry flight from Waco, Texas
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP flares for landing at Edwards AFB after...
AFRC