The German-built 100-inch telescope that is the heart of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is nestled in the SOFIA 747's rear fuselage.

Photographer L-3 Communications/USRA

Location AFRC

Date February 3, 2006

SOFIA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy German-built 100-inch 2 5 meter diameter infrared telescope 20 tons highly-modified Boeing 747SP aircraft DLR Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt German Aerospace L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Universities Space Research Association USRA Deutsches SOFIA Institut DSI