Figure 1. This inflight photo was taken on SOFIA's first flight since its modification to become an airborne observatory. (Carla Thomas / NASA).

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Figure 2. Erik Lindbergh unveils a plaque commemorating his grandfather to dedicate the 747 Clipper Lindbergh, a NASA airborne infrared observatory known as SOFIA. (Tom Tschida/ NASA)

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Figure 3. Professor Peter Frankenberg (on the right), Minister for Science, Research and Art of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, visits the SOFIA cockpit. At center is Gordon Fullerton, SOFIA's chief test pilot and veteran space shuttle astronaut. (NASA-Dryden).

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Figure 4. Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, yanks the bunting to reveal the Clipper Lindbergh name on NASA's SOFIA 747SP on June 27, 2007. (Tony Landis / NASA).

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