THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop and Operate of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia). Sofia IS the Largest Airborne Observatory in the World, Studying the Universe AT Infrared Wavelengths, Capable of Making Observations That ARE Impossible for Even the Largest and Highest Ground-Based Telescopes. During ITS Planned 20 Year Lifetime, Sofia Also Will Inspire the Development of NEW Scientific Instrumentation and Foster the Education of Young Scientists and Engineers
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $215,917,671 ($215.9M)
Contractor: Universities Space Research Association
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1996-12-15
End Date: 2017-09-30
Contract Duration: 7,594 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY (SOFIA). SOFIA IS THE LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY IN THE WORLD, STUDYING THE UNIVERSE AT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS, CAPABLE OF MAKING OBSERVATIONS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVEN THE LARGEST AND HIGHEST GROUND-BASED TELESCOPES. DURING ITS PLANNED 20 YEAR LIFETIME, SOFIA ALSO WILL INSPIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION AND FOSTER THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS.
Place of Performance
Location: California, 94035