NASA’s retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft has been moved under cover at Tucson, Arizona’s Pima Air & Space Museum
The aircraft – which flew on the US civil register as N747NA – was moved into position on January 12. It is currently being prepared for public display.
To identify a final destination for Boeing 747SP-DLR N747NA, NASA followed regulations for the disposition of excess government equipment. Pima, one of the world’s largest aerospace museums, is developing plans for when and how the SOFIA aircraft will eventually be on display.
Along with six hangars, 80 acres of outdoor display grounds, and more than 425 aircraft from around the world, Pima also has its own restoration facility where incoming aircraft like SOFIA are prepared for display after their arrival.
At Pima, the 747SP will join other notable NASA aircraft, like the Super Guppy that transported Saturn V rocket parts for the Apollo missions, and the KC-135 that created low-gravity conditions to conduct science experiments and train astronauts. Before flying to Arizona, the 747SP made a final public flight at the Edwards AFB Open House event in California on October 15, 2022.
