Figure 1. SOFIA undergoing fuel-tank leak checks on the taxi ramp in Waco Texas, in July 2006.

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Figure 2. Interior view looking aft toward the telescope.  Its mounting flange for science instruments (the blue circular ring) is located at the output end of the Nasmyth tube.  The blue consoles and seats are mission equipment.  The red rack at right contains flight-test electronics.

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