NASA thought it would be a great idea to bring the SOFIA jet up from Dryden for a visit and throw an open house for NASA staff and their families. And they were right!
The Kuiper, SOFIA's predecessor, was also open for viewing.
It seemed that everyone on base was there. There was a very long line to get in. It probably took around 40 minutes or more.
The photos of SOFIA's arrival were taken out of my office window. Literally. Out of the window. On the roof. Without a doubt, this job has provided the coolest views from my office.
Click on images to blow them up.
We were treated to a couple of fly-bys before SOFIA landed |
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The SOFIA jet and its chase plane |
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Going, going, ... |
Gone! |
SOFIA cruises past the 40x80 wind tunnel |
SOFIA flies behind N211, the hangar that was built for it. Sigh. |
SOFIA carves a turn around Hangar One for the landing |
Smokin'! |
SOFIA's landing with Hangars Two and Three in the background |
It's not often that you get to be this close--and outside--to a flying 747 |
SOFIA turns around |
Taxiing in front of Hangars Two and Three |
SOFIA taxis close to our building. Do view the larger image so you can see the door more clearly. |
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Twenty minutes and nearly half way there! |
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Almost there! |
SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy |
Here is coach seating in this 747. Spartan. Few seats and no trim with exposed wiring, control wires, and ducts. Workstations. Telescope at the rear. But wow! Seeing the inside of a jet, naked, is quite something. This is a view aft from mid-plane, with the telescope at the rear. |
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You mean the only thing between the pilot's wheel and the rudder are these wires? It seems so primitive! I'm glad this stuff is normally covered! (Facing aft.) |
They had to route the rudder control wires around the telescope's bulkhead. Here is the first turn facing forward. |
Where Terry Gilliam got his ideas for Brazil |
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Check out all the wiring and duct work that's normally hidden |
I'll never quite look out the window of a 747 the same way ever again |
The telescope optics are behind the bulkhead, out in the cold, while the electronics bolt where the fancy piece of aluminum is now where it is all nice and comfy. If you look carefully, you can see the round plate in the middle where the light will come out. |
The counterweight, combined with an oil-filled bearing makes the movement smooth and easy; the 10-ton (or whatever extraordinary-weight this thing is) telescope can be easily moved by hand. |
This workstation will be packed with monitors closer to launch |
Brett and Hema in the nose with storage and seating |
A tall tale |
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My ex-wife was once doing a photo shoot for her client,
United Airlines, and the photographer took a great power
executive shot of her under the new 777. Here was my
opportunity to strike the same pose! Ha! |
Maybe with an Italian suit next time... |
The Kuiper |
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The Kuiper peeks under SOFIA's wing |
So, where's the start button? |
Control wires on the Kuiper, and hydraulics too, it seems |
If you crashed in the ocean and your normal doors were under water, it looks like you could get out here |
Bruce and Brett get the scoop |
"The device attaches here. Note the window to admit light from the telescope." |
There's a mirror here somewhere! |
Looking up the telescope tube at the door |
Rows of displays on board the Kuiper, facing aft |
Racks of machines facing forward; behind me is the cargo door |
Welcome Aboard! the sign reads |
It was pretty dark by the time we were finished! |
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Copyright © 2008 Bill Wohler Last modified: 2008 About photos |
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