SOFIA Program

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was a Boeing 747SP airborne observatory operated in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Its 2.7-metre telescope flew above most atmospheric water vapour for infrared astronomy, making science flights from 2010 until the mission concluded on 29 September 2022.

Identity

Aliases: SOFIAStratospheric Observatory for Infrared AstronomySOFIA airborne observatory
Domains: aviation
Name: SOFIA Program
Status: completed
Types: scienceresearchoperations

Details

Description: NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was a Boeing 747SP airborne observatory operated in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Its 2.7-metre telescope flew above most atmospheric water vapour for infrared astronomy, making science flights from 2010 until the mission concluded on 29 September 2022.
End Date: 2022-09-29
Leads
Participants
Start Date: 2010-05-26

Assets & Meta

Creation Time: August 13, 2026 at 15:49:36 UTC
Updated Time: August 13, 2026 at 15:49:36 UTC

Other

Official Urls: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/sofia/https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasa-partner-decide-to-conclude-sofia-mission/