SOFIA Flight Planning and Execution

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation

article

K. Leppik¹  K. Bower²  C. Kaminski¹  C. Trinh¹  T. Civeit³  T. Kilsdonk² 

[1] USRA SOFIA, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center;USRA SOFIA, NASA Ames Research Center;Deneb Aerospace

关键词: SOFIA;    airborne astronomy;    flight planning;    flight execution;    infrared astronomy;   

DOI  :  10.1142/S225117171840010X

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is NASA’s airborne observatory. Observing with SOFIA has different challenges than observing from a ground based, or even space-based observatory. Although pointing SOFIA is similar to pointing an alt/az telescope, positioning the telescope requires not only the telescope assembly but also the aircraft. SOFIA’s telescope assembly can move in altitude nominally between 20∘ and 60∘. Since the telescope is pointed out the left side of a modified Boeing 747, the azimuth is determined by the aircraft heading. As a result, observing plans become the basis for a flight plan, and the science observation and aircraft operations are intrinsically linked. This paper will discuss flight planning and execution on this unique observatory.

【 授权许可】

Unknown