Z. Ali, P. Alvarez, A. Cheng, K. Hanna, M. Kandlagunta, J. Lott, G. Perryman, L. Tanaka, C. Kaminski, M. Woodworth, J. Wong, N. McKown
{"title":"A Review of Science Ground Operations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)","authors":"Z. Ali, P. Alvarez, A. Cheng, K. Hanna, M. Kandlagunta, J. Lott, G. Perryman, L. Tanaka, C. Kaminski, M. Woodworth, J. Wong, N. McKown","doi":"10.1142/S2251171718400020","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"The NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5[Formula: see text]m telescope in a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that is flown at high altitude to do unique astronomy in the infrared. SOFIA is a singular integration of aircraft operations, telescope design, and science instrumentation that delivers observational opportunities outside the capability of any other facility. The science ground operations are the transition and integration point of the science, aircraft, and telescope. We present the ground operations themselves and the tools used to prepare for mission success. Specifically, we will discuss operations from science instrument delivery to aircraft operation and mission readiness. We will also provide a discussion of instrument life cycle including maintenance and repair, both before and after acceptance by the observatory as well as retirement. Included in that will be a description of the facilities and their development, an overview of the SOFIA telescope assembly simulator, our deployment capabilities, as well as an outlook to the future of novel science instrument support for SOFIA.","PeriodicalId":45132,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1142/S2251171718400020","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1142/S2251171718400020","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
The NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5[Formula: see text]m telescope in a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that is flown at high altitude to do unique astronomy in the infrared. SOFIA is a singular integration of aircraft operations, telescope design, and science instrumentation that delivers observational opportunities outside the capability of any other facility. The science ground operations are the transition and integration point of the science, aircraft, and telescope. We present the ground operations themselves and the tools used to prepare for mission success. Specifically, we will discuss operations from science instrument delivery to aircraft operation and mission readiness. We will also provide a discussion of instrument life cycle including maintenance and repair, both before and after acceptance by the observatory as well as retirement. Included in that will be a description of the facilities and their development, an overview of the SOFIA telescope assembly simulator, our deployment capabilities, as well as an outlook to the future of novel science instrument support for SOFIA.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation (JAI) publishes papers describing instruments and components being proposed, developed, under construction and in use. JAI also publishes papers that describe facility operations, lessons learned in design, construction, and operation, algorithms and their implementations, and techniques, including calibration, that are fundamental elements of instrumentation. The journal focuses on astronomical instrumentation topics in all wavebands (Radio to Gamma-Ray) and includes the disciplines of Heliophysics, Space Weather, Lunar and Planetary Science, Exoplanet Exploration, and Astroparticle Observation (cosmic rays, cosmic neutrinos, etc.). Concepts, designs, components, algorithms, integrated systems, operations, data archiving techniques and lessons learned applicable but not limited to the following platforms are pertinent to this journal. Example topics are listed below each platform, and it is recognized that many of these topics are relevant to multiple platforms. Relevant platforms include: Ground-based observatories[...] Stratospheric aircraft[...] Balloons and suborbital rockets[...] Space-based observatories and systems[...] Landers and rovers, and other planetary-based instrument concepts[...]