★ FAMOUSSpace & science
SOFIA
The 747 with a telescope in its side — found water on the Moon
Tail number N747NA
Retired. This one lives in the history books now.
The story
A 747 with a 2.7-meter German-built telescope looking out a hole in its side. SOFIA flew above 99 percent of the atmosphere's water vapor, opening her telescope door at 40,000 feet to see the infrared universe no ground observatory can. She flew science missions from 2010 to 2022 and now rests at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson.
Fun fact
In 2020 SOFIA found water on the sunlit surface of the Moon — from a telescope sticking out the side of a 747.
Quick answers
What is the tail number of SOFIA?
N747NA (Boeing 747SP, retired).
What kind of aircraft is SOFIA?
Boeing 747SP.
Is it still flying?
No. It no longer flies.
The type
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