Background

Studying the universe using only visible light results in a very limited view, as visible light - the light you see with your eyes - reveals only part of the universe. Astronomers observe many other types of "light" to expand our views of the universe. Infrared energy is just one part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes visible light, x-rays, radio waves and others.

Many objects in space emit almost all their energy at infrared wavelengths. Often, they are invisible when observed in ordinary visible light. In other cases, clouds of gas and dust in space block the light emitted by more distant objects, but allow infrared energy to reach our telescopes. In both cases, the only way to learn about other objects is to study the infrared light they emit. By studying all the energy emitted by these astronomical objects, astronomers can understand them much better.

Solution

Initiated by NASA as a successor to the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, USRA is leading a team of industry experts to develop and operate the airborne observatory. SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) will be the largest airborne observatory in the world, and will make observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest of ground-based telescopes.

SOFIA is a reflecting telescope housed in a modified Boeing 747SP that will study the universe in the infrared part of the spectrum. Developed in collaboration with the German Space Agency, SOFIA is undergoing flight testing at Dryden Flight Research Center. USRA and the Duetches SOFIA Institute will conduct International Science Mission Operations at Ames Research Center over SOFIA's 20 year lifetime.

Results

In April 2007, SOFIA made its first flight and has moved to a permanent base at Palmdale Airport. Closed door flight tests are complete. It also flew to Ames Research Center, home of the SOFIA International Science Center and begins open door flight tests this year. Science flights begin in 2009 and regular use by guest astronomers and educators start in 2010.

In addition to its contribution to science progress, SOFIA will be a major factor in the development of observational techniques, of new instrumentations and in the education of young scientists and teachers in the discipline of infrared astronomy.

The SOFIA program was selected by the California Space Authority for its 2007 "Spot Beam" award, and the USRA SOFIA team received a NASA Ames excellence award for exceptional performance.