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NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for

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Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA, recently

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underwent major upgrades to its

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telescope control and avionics systems

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that will significantly improve their

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effeciency and operability.

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The new hardware and software upgrades

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fully integrate the telescope with the

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observatory's command and control system

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enhancing its pointing and tracking

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capabilities.

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At the same time, a new avionics and

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flight managment system with modern

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electronic flight displays was installed

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in the highly modified Boeing 747,

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replacing its outdated navigation and

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flight deck instrumentation.

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(sound of large jet taking off)

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The avionics upgrade allows the SOFIA

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aircraft to be in compliance with

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current airspace regulations throughout

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the world.

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The SOFIA observatory has begun checkout

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flights in preparation for a new series of

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astronomical observations and commissioning

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of its first generation instruments