{"id":140842,"date":"2022-09-29T05:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T09:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-483046"},"modified":"2023-09-20T16:52:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T20:52:09","slug":"nasas-legacy-of-science-engineering-in-retiring-airborne-observatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/science-in-the-air\/nasas-legacy-of-science-engineering-in-retiring-airborne-observatory\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s Legacy of Science, Engineering in Retiring Airborne Observatory"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\"><div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\"><p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">8 min read<\/p><h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">NASA\u2019s Legacy of Science, Engineering in Retiring Airborne Observatory<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/SOFIA\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy<\/a> (SOFIA) was a mission of discovery, revealing unseen \u2013 and sometimes unseeable \u2013 parts of our universe. As the mission draws to a close, with flights ending on Thursday, Sept. 29, NASA is taking a look back at the scientific accomplishments of SOFIA and some of the feats of engineering that let it fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom deepening our understanding of water on the Moon to revealing the invisible forces of cosmic-scale magnetic fields, none of it could have happened without the hundreds of people who contributed their expertise to the SOFIA mission,\u201d said Naseem Rangwala, the mission\u2019s project scientist at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the start of its development in 1996, SOFIA required engineering ingenuity. A Boeing 747SP jetliner had to be modified to carry the 38,000-pound, 100-inch (more than 17,000-kilogram, 2.5-meter) telescope provided by NASA\u2019s partner on the SOFIA mission, the German Space Agency at DLR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineers at Ames developed a garage door-like mechanism that rolled up to let the telescope observe the skies. In that configuration, it was \u201cone of the largest open ports ever flown on an aircraft,\u201d said Paul Fusco, a NASA engineer, now retired, who helped design the door system, \u201cand the largest certified to fly at all altitudes and speeds with the door open. It was a really thrilling aviation innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/sofia.gif\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/sofia.gif?w=750\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This three-dimensional view of the Orion Nebula \u2013 Earth\u2019s closest star-formation nursery \u2013 was created using data from the SOFIA mission. It reveals detailed structure of the nebula, including a “bubble” that has been blown clear of gas and dust by a powerful stellar wind. In this way, massive stars can regulate star formation around them, and SOFIA helped astronomers better understand this effect.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/SOFIA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The mission\u2019s pilots couldn\u2019t even feel when the door was open. And the stability of the telescope itself was equivalent to keeping a laser pointer steady on a penny from 10 miles away. SOFIA had achieved a smooth flight and a steady gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that was only the beginning. By 2014, the observatory had reached its full operational capability, and for eight years SOFIA helped astronomers around the world use infrared light to study an impressive array of cosmic events and objects invisible to other telescopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSOFIA\u2019s unique scientific achievements were the result of the ingenuity of the incredible international community that grew up around the mission,\u201d said Alessandra Roy, SOFIA project scientist for the German Space Agency, \u201cwhich was only made possible by the collaboration of NASA and DLR.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A community of high school teachers also came to know SOFIA personally, through the NASA <a href=\"https:\/\/seti.org\/seti-educators\/airborne-astronomy-ambassadors-program\" rel=\"noopener\">Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program.<\/a> This professional development opportunity included an immersion experience flying aboard SOFIA with scientists and crew members. Participating teachers were able to bring this real-world science content back to their classrooms and reveal diverse STEM-related careers to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the observatory is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-partner-decide-to-conclude-sofia-mission\" rel=\"noopener\">being retired<\/a>. Science flights have ended, and the team is exploring options for a fitting permanent home for this special aircraft. SOFIA\u2019s data from a total of 732 nights observing over the course of the mission will also be publicly available for scientists to study and conduct further research in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cInfrared astronomy will go on at NASA, most notably with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/webb\" rel=\"noopener\">James Webb Space Telescope<\/a>,\u201d said Paul Hertz, senior advisor for NASA\u2019s Science Mission Directorate, former Astrophysics Division director, and former SOFIA program scientist. \u201cBut SOFIA\u2019s many and diverse contributions to science have already left their mark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some ways in which SOFIA changed our understanding of the universe. Scroll down to read on, or follow a topic with the links below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Water on Moon\">Discovery of Water on Sunlit Portion of Moon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#First Molecule\">Finally Detected: First Type of Molecule Ever to Form in Universe<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Time-Sensitive Observations\">Ultra-Time-Sensitive Observations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Magnetic Universe\">Revealing the Magnetic Universe<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Earth's Atmosphere\">New Way to Study Earth\u2019s Atmosphere, Climate<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Stellar Feedback\">A Star Is Born \u2013 or Not<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Composite infrared image of the center of our Milky way Galaxy\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png 3000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=300,78 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=768,199 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=1024,266 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=1536,399 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=2048,532 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=400,104 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=600,156 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=900,234 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=1200,312 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/gc_tumblr.png?resize=2000,519 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Composite infrared image of the center of our Milky Way galaxy. It spans more than 600 lightyears across and is helping scientists learn how many massive stars are forming in the galaxy\u2019s center. Data from SOFIA (blue and green) is combined with data from the Herschel Space Observatory (red) and the Spitzer Space Telescope (white). SOFIA\u2019s view revealed features that had never been seen before.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/SOFIA\/JPL-Caltech\/ESA\/Herschel<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>Discovery of Water on Sunlit Portion of Moon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although SOFIA\u2019s telescope wasn\u2019t originally configured to look at the Moon, its lunar observations confirmed, for the first time, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-s-sofia-discovers-water-on-sunlit-surface-of-moon\" rel=\"noopener\">water on the sunlit surface of the Moon<\/a>. This meant water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA is eager to learn about water on the Moon in advance of sending humans to the lunar surface with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/Artemis#_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Artemis<\/a> missions. SOFIA\u2019s data also adds to the work of future Moon missions, such as NASA\u2019s water-hunting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/viper#_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Moon was not SOFIA\u2019s only target in our solar system. The observatory also studied the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-flying-observatory-makes-observations-of-jupiter-previously-only-possible-from-space\" rel=\"noopener\">circulation of gases within Jupiter\u2019s atmosphere<\/a>, the possibility that <a href=\"https:\/\/nasa-my.sharepoint.com\/personal\/astabor_ndc_nasa_gov\/Documents\/-%09https:\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/comet-catalina-suggests-comets-delivered-carbon-to-rocky-planets\" rel=\"noopener\">comets delivered carbon to planets like Earth<\/a>, and, just recently, the asteroid that will be explored by NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/missions\/psyche\" rel=\"noopener\">Psyche mission<\/a> \u2013 to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1483\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Educators on board SOFIA.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg 5567w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=300,217 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=768,556 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=1024,742 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=1536,1112 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=2048,1483 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=400,290 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=600,435 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=900,652 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=1200,869 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/linahan_2-1.jpg?resize=2000,1449 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A group of Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors \u2013 high-school science teachers participating in a professional development opportunity \u2013 plus their flight facilitator aboard SOFIA. From left, Lynne Zielinski, Heidi Steinbrink, Marcella Linahan, Pamela Harman, the Educational Program co-manager for SOFIA, Tom Jenkins, and Vivian Hoette focus in on an observation target.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/SOFIA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>Finally Detected: First Type of Molecule Ever to Form in Universe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After decades of searching by astronomers, SOFIA detected, for the first time in space, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/the-universe-s-first-type-of-molecule-is-found-at-last\" rel=\"noopener\">the first type of molecule that ever formed in the universe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFIA\u2019s work in astrochemistry also shed light on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/sofia-pinpoints-water-vapor-in-young-star\" rel=\"noopener\"> one way water gets distributed in the universe<\/a>. The mission explored the <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/sofia\/2022\/05\/31\/small-molecules-have-big-impacts-in-interstellar-clouds\/\" rel=\"noopener\">life cycle of materials in space<\/a>, too: clouds of simple gases that form more complex gases and, ultimately, stars and star systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>Ultra-Time-Sensitive Observations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFIA\u2019s mobility allowed it to capture extremely fleeting events in astronomy over remote locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2015, Pluto passed directly between a distant star and the Earth, giving scientists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/sofia-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time-for-pluto-observations\" rel=\"noopener\">a rare chance to analyze its atmosphere<\/a> while backlit by the star. And the only observatory that could position itself over the open ocean, directly in the center of Pluto\u2019s shadow racing across Earth\u2019s surface, was SOFIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFIA was nimble, which also helped it provide long-term monitoring \u2013 as for a <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/sofia\/2021\/07\/06\/sofia-witnesses-rare-accretion-flare-on-massive-protostar\/\" rel=\"noopener\">surprisingly long, bright outburst by a protostar in the Cat\u2019s Paw Nebula<\/a> \u2013 and respond quickly, when needed. This was the case in 2014 when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/SOFIA\/Supernova_SN2014J.html\" rel=\"noopener\">an exploding star, a supernova, was spotted<\/a> \u2013 the brightest and closest to Earth in decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>Revealing the Magnetic Universe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFIA\u2019s most paradigm-shifting contributions may have been in letting astronomers \u201csee\u201d and map magnetic fields on smaller scales than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One study revealed magnetic fields, once thought to slow star birth by preventing gravity from pulling raw material into a growing star, may sometimes work with gravity to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-feature\/magnetic-rivers-feed-young-stars\" rel=\"noopener\">nourish the birth of stars<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOFIA studied the roles magnetic fields play in the cosmos across a range of scales \u2013 from star formation on the \u201csmall\u201d end to phenomena <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/how-to-shape-a-spiral-galaxy\" rel=\"noopener\">shaping entire galaxies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/magnetic-fields-may-be-the-key-to-black-hole-activity\" rel=\"noopener\">feeding blackholes<\/a>, and causing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/galactic-merger-warps-magnetic-fields\" rel=\"noopener\">whole galaxies to merge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1962\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Image of galaxy with an orange disc and black streamlines running through it.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg 2480w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=300,287 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=768,736 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=1024,981 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=1536,1472 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=2048,1962 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=400,383 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=600,575 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=900,862 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=1200,1150 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?resize=2000,1916 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Magnetic fields observed by SOFIA in the galaxy Centaurus A are shown as streamlines over a composite image taken at multiple wavelengths by several observatories. The large-scale magnetic fields, 1,600 light-years across, are parallel to the dust lanes seen in visible light and other wavelengths. However, the fields appear twisted and distorted near the middle \u2013 a remnant of the spiral-shaped magnetic field from one of the original galaxies that merged to form Centaurus A. The active, supermassive black hole at its core adds to the distortions. Visible and submillimeter wavelengths are shown in orange, X-ray wavelengths in blue, and infrared in dark red.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: Optical: European Southern Observatory Wide Field Imager; Submillimeter: Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy\/ESO\/Atacama Pathfinder Experiment\/A.Weiss et al.; X-ray and Infrared: NASA\/Chandra\/R. Kraft; JPL-Caltech\/J. Keene; SOFIA\/L. Proudfit<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>New Way to Study Earth\u2019s Atmosphere, Climate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flying at 38,000 to 45,000 feet, SOFIA soared above 99.9% of the water vapor in Earth\u2019s atmosphere that obscures infrared observations from the ground. But the telescope still peered through the upper reaches of our atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After developing ways to work with SOFIA data on this hard-to-study region, researchers were able to make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/sofia-offers-new-way-to-study-earth-s-atmosphere\/\" rel=\"noopener\">direct measurements of atomic oxygen in Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studying other atmospheres was already in SOFIA\u2019s wheelhouse. Observing the occultation of a star by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/catching-the-shadow-of-a-neptunian-moon\" rel=\"noopener\">Neptune\u2019s moon Triton<\/a> revealed secrets of its atmosphere, while a <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/sofia\/2022\/01\/20\/sofia-observes-venus-a-delicate-dance-to-understand-our-hot-and-cloudy-twins-atmosphere\/\" rel=\"noopener\">challenging set of observations of Venus<\/a> could help shed light on reports of <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/biomarker-phosphine-discovered-atmosphere-venus\" rel=\"noopener\">phosphine, a potential biomarker for microbial life<\/a>, in that planet\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a><\/a>A Star Is Born \u2013 or Not<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By observing in infrared light, SOFIA revealed secrets of star formation that would otherwise have remained hidden inside massive clouds of gas and dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One major area of research for SOFIA involved an effect called \u201cfeedback,\u201d where stars either help or hinder the creation of more stars in their neighborhood. Using SOFIA\u2019s data, researchers found that a stellar wind in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/lifting-the-veil-on-star-formation-in-the-orion-nebula\" rel=\"noopener\">the Orion Nebula is clearing a bubble<\/a> free of material needed to form new stars, while, in another nebula, the original star is <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/sofia\/2021\/06\/04\/science-result-surprisingly-young-nebula-hints-at-formation-of-stars-in-the-early-universe\/\" rel=\"noopener\">triggering the birth of new generations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Astronomers learned all these things and many more as SOFIA explored the universe from 40,000 feet. Even as the mission winds down, making way for the next chapter in infrared astronomy, the discoveries made from the observatory\u2019s data will go on. SOFIA\u2019s legacy and that of the entire team who made the mission fly is to have taught humanity more about the cosmos and inspired others to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\nSOFIA was a joint project of NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR. DLR provided the telescope, scheduled aircraft maintenance, and other support for the mission. NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley managed the SOFIA program, science, and mission operations in cooperation with the Universities Space Research Association, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, and the German SOFIA Institute at the University of Stuttgart. The aircraft was maintained and operated by NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703, in Palmdale, California. SOFIA achieved full operational capability in 2014 and concluded its final science flight on Sept. 29, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-social-media grid-container grid-container-block nasa-gb-align- width-full maxw-full margin-y-0 padding-y-5 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-0 font-weight-bold hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-social-media-links\">\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center padding-y-1\" id=\"social-facebook\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"circle-4 minw-4 display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center\" style=\"background-color: #4267B2;\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-labelledby=\"facebookIconTitle\"><title id=\"facebookIconTitle\">Facebook logo<\/title><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-social-media-items padding-left-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<a 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id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/natural-disasters\/nasa-announces-new-system-to-aid-disaster-response\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/prturkiyeeq-020624a.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Announces New System to Aid Disaster Response<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">In early May, widespread flooding and landslides occurred in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/nasa-supports-california-students-aiming-to-advance-technology\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1279\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1279&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1279&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=300&h=200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=768&h=512&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=1024&h=682&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1023&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=400&h=266&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=600&h=400&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=900&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/AFRC2024-0082-22\/AFRC2024-0082-22~large.jpg?w=1200&h=799&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Supports California Students Aiming to Advance Technology<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/nasas-repository-supports-research-of-commercial-astronaut-health\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/51472315354-c49f4aa62a-k.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">2 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s Repository Supports Research of Commercial Astronaut Health\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">NASA\u2019s Open Science Data Repository provides valuable information to researchers studying the impact of space...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Missions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-1.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans in Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-2.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Climate Change<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-3.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-4.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=NASA%E2%80%99s%20Legacy%20of%20Science%2C%20Engineering%20in%20Retiring%20Airborne%20Observatory&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Faeronautics%2Fscience-in-the-air%2Fnasas-legacy-of-science-engineering-in-retiring-airborne-observatory%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Faeronautics%2Fscience-in-the-air%2Fnasas-legacy-of-science-engineering-in-retiring-airborne-observatory%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 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class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ames\/\">Ames Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/armstrong\/\">Armstrong Flight Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/science-in-the-air\/\">Science in the Air<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/sofia\" rel=\"noopener\">SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) \/ 747-SP<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was a mission of discovery, revealing unseen \u2013 and sometimes unseeable \u2013 parts of our universe. As the mission draws to a close, with flights ending on Thursday, Sept. 29, NASA is taking a look back at the scientific accomplishments of SOFIA and some of the feats of [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":218,"featured_media":145728,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2854,2855,2820,3382],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[10221,12898],"coauthors":[10477],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA\u2019s Legacy of Science, Engineering in Retiring Airborne 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Air","SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) \/ 747-SP"],"dateCreated":"2022-09-29T09:41:00Z","datePublished":"2022-09-29T09:41:00Z","dateModified":"2023-09-20T20:52:09Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA\u2019s Legacy of Science, Engineering in Retiring Airborne Observatory\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/science-in-the-air\/nasas-legacy-of-science-engineering-in-retiring-airborne-observatory\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2022-09-29T09:41:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Missions,SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy),747-SP,Ames Research Center,Armstrong Flight Research Center,Science in the Air,SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) \/ 747-SP\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Abby Tabor\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":8,"time_ago":"2 years","featured_image":{"id":145728,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped.jpg","title":"cena_lic-lp-nature-cropped","alt":"Image of galaxy with an orange disc and black streamlines running through it.","caption":"Colour composite image of Centaurus A, revealing the lobes in red and orange and jets emanating from the active galaxy\u2019s center."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140842"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/218"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140842"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140842\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213489,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140842\/revisions\/213489"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/145728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140842"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=140842"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=140842"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=140842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}