Posted on 06/04/2007 11:53:11 AM PDT by BenLurkin
EDWARDS AFB - The latest research aircraft to join the fleet at Dryden Flight Research Center arrived May 31. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, consists of a 2½-meter (8.2-foot) in diameter infrared telescope mounted inside the 747 airliner, chosen for its ability to house the 45,000-pound telescope.
The long-range airliner is capable of remaining airborne for six hours at altitudes higher than 41,000 feet, above much of the atmospheric water vapor.
SOFIA will be used to study the universe in the infrared spectrum, as well as to develop observational techniques, instruments and for educational purposes.
The aircraft arrived at Edwards Air Force Base from Waco, Texas, where it has undergone extensive modifications by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems.
The airliner is outfitted with 16-foot-high clamshell doors in the rear of the fuselage, which will open in flight to allow the telescope access to the sky.
The door is in two parts, a rigid upper portion that opens to expose the cavity and a flexible lower portion attached to the telescope that moves up and down with the instrument.
The cavity itself is a cylindrical hole in the side of the aircraft, the largest ever intentionally cut into a working aircraft.
Dryden will conduct test flights of the aircraft with this unique modification, first with the doors closed, then gradually opening them in flight.
The initial instrument observations will occur at the end of this open-door test phase, to test the telescope platform during flight operations.
This will be followed by the initial science observations using the telescope, scheduled to begin in 2009 or 2010.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
Dunno. Was hoping you might. The article made such a point about this being the largest hole intentionally cut, that I figgered there had to be a backstory...
That’s a big one!
Ooooh-weeeee - A CONVERTIBLE!
Yeah, I remember that one - how many people did they lose?
I believe the NTSB ruled that salt air corrosion had prematurly weakened the skin and, since it was pressurized, riiiip....
 |
||
| · join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · | ||
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.