Time-Lapse Video from Rafter-Cam

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image from time-lapse video courtesy of L3 Communications

In the first few seconds of the video, notice that the SOFIA aircraft seems to slowly move downward a few feet. You are watching the process of "downjacking."

Over three years ago, as the modification process begun, SOFIA was set up on jack stands. The landing gear was removed for overhaul, and the aircraft fuselage was carefully set in a series of cradles to ensure that the aircraft frame could not deform as the major structural modifications were made. With the newly-refurbished landing gear re-installed, and the cradles removed, the aircraft was slowly lowered back onto its own "feet." L3 engineers explained that, as the heavy telescope is installed, SOFIA must be resting on its own landing gear in order to properly distribute the newly-added weight.

L3 workers then removed the scaffolding that has surrounded the whole aft section of the aircraft during the structural modification phase. For the first time, the extent of the modifications-the size of the open port and telescope cavity-are clearly visible. Next step: installing the 2.7-meter telescope.

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