The instrument will allow astronomers to fondly gaze deep into immense dust clouds and witness the birth of stars, observe galaxies and quasars billions of light-years away, and study the very early universe. Amongst other missions, scientists plan to use the range of the revamped jet for extended flights down to the Southern Hemisphere. There they will be in a position to observe the center of the Milky Way and our satellite galaxies, or phenomena that might suddenly require urgent investigation in the infrared spectrum, such as supernovae. Developed as a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center, the reprieved Pan Am jet is being modified at a Raytheon Air Integration Systems hangar in Waco, Texas. The lighter weight of the chopped-down SP was designed to increase its range.
Many airlines still fly the old warhorses, particularly in Asia.
A 75 cm-thick pressure bulkhead will protect scientists from the near vacuum and fatal cold of the stratosphere. Raytheon program manager Dennis Boroczk said that although his teams have converted plenty of passenger planes to cargo configurations, they have really been challenged by the task of cutting such a large door intended for in-flight opening. Mirror, mirror . The door of course is not the point of the exercise. It's what's hidden behind that strange bulge that's important.