Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
Astronomical observatory
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The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy was a 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. Wikipedia
Telescope cost: about $85 million per year
Alternative names: SOFIA
Altitude: ground: 702 m (2,303 ft); airborne: 13.7 km (45,000 ft)
Closed: September 29, 2022
Coordinates: 43°29′22″S 172°31′56″E / 43.48944°S 172.53222°E
Established: 2010
Location: Palmdale Airport (most of the year); Christchurch International Airport (for about 2 months around June/July)