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Researchers at NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center have recently completed

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the second and final phase of flight
tests on the Stratospheric Observatory

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for Infrared Astronomy. The performance
and structural integrity of this

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airborne observatory also known as SOFIA
was validated through a series of flight

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tests that confirmed the aircraft could
operate safely at various

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flight conditions with the telescope door open.

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Clear for [inaudible]  1.5 to .5

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Complete...2...1

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Complete

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SOFIA technicians at the Dryden Aircraft

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Operations Facility in Palmdale
California will now finish installation

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and check out of the remaining systems
that support telescope operations.

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The modified Boeing 747

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is now approved to begin flying