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SOFIA eNewsletter for Scientists

v11 January, 2005

Below is our eleventh SOFIA Electronic Newsletter to the astronomical community. It describes significant progress toward our next major milestone of first airworthiness test flights in 2005, and other recent activities.

Regards,

After passing the crucial milestone of successful functional tests of the telescope for celestial observations from the ground last August, the development team has moved on to the next essential goal: first test flights. The first set of test flights will be made with the telescope-cavity door closed to verify the anticipated performance of the heavily modified aircraft. Intensive efforts are underway in the plane at the L-3 Communications facility in Waco, Texas, to perform these flights as early as possible in 2005.

Recent accomplishments (see images via web link at bottom of this page):

• All three large telescope-cavity door elements completed at NASA Ames and shipped to Waco
• Installation of the upper rigid door on the plane
• Acquisition and installation of refurbished engines
• Installation of rerouted cables for operating aircraft control surfaces

Principal remaining activities prior to first flights:

• Minor fuselage structural and aerodynamic modifications
• Aircraft structural analyses and verifications
• Telescope airworthiness verifications
• Ground verification of flight systems
• Flight readiness reviews

ON OUR WAY TO SCIENCE OPERATIONS
Once the initial series of closed-door airworthiness flight tests is completed in early-mid 2005, further test flights with the door open are planned, leading to real airborne astronomy with flight testing of the telescope and commissioning of instruments. Scheduling of these activities will be better established after the closed-door test flights hurdle is cleared.

SOFIA PASSES RIGOROUS INDEPENDENT REVIEWS
NASA-sponsored in-depth reviews of SOFIA's science potential, development management, and plans for science and flight operations were recently completed. The results were generally very positive and contained a number of helpful recommendations for improving the program. The entire SOFIA staff appreciates the efforts and the valuable insights and suggestions of the many well-qualified reviewers who participated.

SCIENCE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Please contact Dana Backman (dbackman@mail.arc.nasa.gov) if your institution would like a science presentation - including information on SOFIA's capabilities and future observing opportunities - by a member of SOFIA's science staff. You may obtain a recent program summary for astronomers here and/or at the SOFIA booth at the San Diego AAS meeting.

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Page Last Updated: January 5, 2005