NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

Photographer NASA/Jim Ross
Location AFRC
SOFIAStratospheric Observatory for Infrared AstronomyAmes Research CenterDryden Aircraft Operations FacilityPalmdaleSite 9Clipper LindberghGerman-built 100-inch 2 5 meter diameter infrared telescope20 tonshighly-modified Boeing 747SP aircraftDLR Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt German AerospaceL-3 Communications Integrated SystemsUniversities Space Research AssociationUSRADeutsches SOFIA InstitutDSI