Flight Sofia to the stars ex NZCH

[suthg]

And NASA747 is halfway back across the Pacific heading to Hawaii...

flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA747

[ErrolC]

Wrap up from NASA
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/new_zealand_achievements.html#.UgwXVbst2pQ

Sent via Proboards Android App

[ErrolC]

Several short YouTube clips related to the Chch deployment, starting with the divert to AKL due to fog.

t.co/hAtMIKzKVs

[ErrolC]

MRC Aviation points out that SOFIA is due in Christchurch in June 2015.

mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/sofia-due-down-under.html

[ErrolC]

SOFIAtelescope @sofiatelescope

We're heading for New Zealand! First stop, Honolulu. go.nasa.gov/1GH9ois t.co/69w2KmOdIG

13 Jun 2015 17:15

[kiwithrottlejockey]

• Flying observatory touches down in Christchurch





I saw this aeroplane parked at Christchurch Airport at lunchtime today, outside the American Deep Freeze base, but I was in a hurry to drop-off a rental car and check-in for a flight to Wellington, so I didn't have time to stop and take any photographs.

[isc]

Heard yesterday they were having a problem with cracks found in one engine, so grounded until repairs are carried out. isc

[ErrolC]

An engine was delivered on a Cargo 747 earlier.
mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/boeing-747-400-n356kd-departs.html

[Dave Homewood]

Keep an eye out for the next Wings Over New Zealand Show, which I will publish tomorrow. I had the great pleasure of interviewing SOFIA team member and prolific aviation author Nick Veronico.

[ErrolC]

2017 arrival scheduled for June 23.

@sofiatelescope: We're preparing to return to @chc_Airport for more southern hemisphere observations. We will arrive on June 23: go.nasa.gov/2nJqFom pbs.twimg.com/media/DBZtG63VYAARmvW.jpg

[ErrolC]

And on schedule
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11881060

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Broadcast on Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan this afternoon.


from Radio NZ National....

• SOFIA — a flying telescope with a unique view of space



Click on the picture to reveal a link to download a MP3 audio file and save it to your computer, or CLICK HERE to listen to the audio directly.

[ErrolC]

Note that SOFIA is based out of French Polynesia this winter, rather than dealing with NZ border requirements

[ErrolC]

Operations will end in September 2022. It hasn't been back to NZ since COVID (went to Chile I think last year).
www.parabolicarc.com/2022/04/29/nasa-dlr-to-end-sofia-operations/

[chrisr]

Sofia is scheduled to make one more visit to New Zealand before retirement, arriving in June.

OC9R HAWC+ Tue, Jun 21, 2022 to Wed, Jul 6, 2022 12 Christchurch
OC9S GREAT Sun, Jul 10, 2022 to Sun, Aug 2, 2022 20 Christchurch

[Dave Homewood]

Oh excellent. When I heard a week or so ago that SOFIA was coming to an end I did not think we'd see it again.

I hope it goes to a museum and not a scrapper. Or better still, keeps flying.

[chrisr]

Sofia is currently tracking on FR24 as it makes it's way to Christchurch via Hawaii. According to a post on facebook it should arrive in Christchurch mid morning.

Detailed flight plans can be found here:

www.sofia.usra.edu/science/proposing-and-observing/flights/series/oc9r

www.sofia.usra.edu/science/proposing-and-observing/flights/series/oc9s.

[ErrolC]

Apr 30, 2022 13:46:03 GMT 12 ErrolC said:

Operations will end in September 2022. It hasn't been back to NZ since COVID (went to Chile I think last year).
www.parabolicarc.com/2022/04/29/nasa-dlr-to-end-sofia-operations/

blogs.nasa.gov/sofia/2022/07/21/sofia-adjusts-science-planning-following-damage-to-aircraft/

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is adjusting its science observation plans and canceling the remainder of its Southern Hemisphere deployment following damage to the aircraft caused by severe weather on Monday, July 18. SOFIA is currently operating out of Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand to better observe celestial objects in the southern skies.

During the severe weather event, high winds caused the stairs outside the aircraft to shift, causing light damage to the front of the aircraft, as well as the stairs themselves. There were no injuries to any staff. The aircraft damage is being assessed, repair plans are moving forward, and new stairs are being delivered. During this time, the mission’s science observation schedule will be reassessed, as SOFIA is unable to continue normal operations until the repairs are complete and stairs are available.

[johnnyfalcon]

I can lend them my ladder. No fee, just an observers seat on the next mission would suffice

[Antonio]

Jul 22, 2022 15:01:26 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

I can lend them my ladder. No fee, just an observers seat on the next mission would suffice

Kiwi hospitality at its finest