Dec 18 2009
From The Space Library
NASA announced that it had successfully flight-tested the SOFIA, a modified 747 jet carrying a 98-inch (249-centimeter) infrared telescope. During one test in a series of four, the telescope’s doors opened fully for 2 minutes, marking the first time that outside air had interacted with the section of the plane carrying the telescope and allowing engineers to observe how air flowed in and around the telescope. NASA had conducted flight tests on 9 December, without opening the door. On 14 December, engineers had opened the door to 10 percent of its fully open position. During the 18 December test, engineers opened the door incrementally—to 10 percent, 40 percent, 70 percent, and 100 percent of the open position. NASA had conducted the tests at 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) and at a speed of 415 kilometers per hour (258 miles per hour), with the telescope turned off and in locked position.
NASA, “NASA Flight Tests Unique Jumbo Jet; Plane’s Airborne Telescope Will Be Used To Unlock Secrets of the Cosmos,” news release 09-292, 18 December 2009; John Croft, “NASA: All Is Well on Boeing 747SP Open- Door Front,” Flight International, 28 December 2009.
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