Optimized flight planning for SOFIA

Jochen M. M. Horn; Eric E. Becklin

doi:10.1117/12.389121

20 June 2000 Optimized flight planning for SOFIA

Jochen M. M. Horn, Eric E. Becklin

Proceedings Volume 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389121
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

A study of the average upper atmospheric conditions has been carried out in order to optimize the scientific return from SOFIA. By examination of atmospheric data from satellite missions, we found that at typical SOFIA flight altitudes (between 37,000 and 45,000 ft), it can be an advantage to fly north, as the water vapor overburden and the frequency of cloud occurrence is less than if the flights were centered above Moffett Field, CA, which will be the base for SOFIA. It has also been shown that for certain science projects, the amount of time on target can be considerably extended.

Citation Download Citation

Jochen M. M. Horn and Eric E. Becklin "Optimized flight planning for SOFIA", Proc. SPIE 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems, (20 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389121

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