1
00:00:01,060 --> 00:00:03,063
Researchers at NASA's Dryden
Flight Research Center

2
00:00:03,063 --> 00:00:05,043
have recently completed
the second and

3
00:00:05,043 --> 00:00:07,083
final phase of
flight-tests on the

4
00:00:07,083 --> 00:00:12,007
Stratospheric Observatory
for Infrared Astronomy.

5
00:00:12,007 --> 00:00:13,083
The performance and
structural integrity of

6
00:00:13,083 --> 00:00:16,053
this airborne observatory,
also known as SOFIA,

7
00:00:16,053 --> 00:00:19,037
was validated through a
series flight tests that

8
00:00:19,037 --> 00:00:21,057
confirmed the aircraft
could operate safely at

9
00:00:21,057 --> 00:00:24,090
various flight conditions with
the telescope's door open.

10
00:00:24,090 --> 00:00:29,017
>>Test Director: Cleared for
PUPO, 1.5 to .5

11
00:00:29,017 --> 00:00:34,023
>> Pilot: Three...Two...One...

12
00:00:42,017 --> 00:00:45,030
Complete.

13
00:00:45,030 --> 00:00:48,020
SOFIA technicians at the Dryden
Aircraft Operations Facility

14
00:00:48,020 --> 00:00:49,067
in Palmdale, California,

15
00:00:49,067 --> 00:00:51,087
will now finish
installation and checkout

16
00:00:51,087 --> 00:00:56,017
of the remaining systems that
support telescope operations.

17
00:00:56,017 --> 00:01:00,050
The modified Boeing 747 is
now approved to begin

18
00:01:00,050 --> 00:01:03,080
flying astronomy missions
at altitudes as high as