Boeing 747SP (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - SOFIA) · PlaneSpot

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Rum 🇺🇸

28 Apr 2026 · © Rum

Landing at March ARB the day before heading to the Pima Air & Space Museum.

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Aircraft

747SP (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - SOFIA) B742

NASA / SOFIA special livery

Airline

NASA (United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Manufacturer

Gear

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Livery Legend, Boeing Beginner, Queen of the Skies

5 badges earned

Location

Staging area

March Air Reserve Base · RIV/KRIV

33.8439, -117.2330

Open map

March Air Reserve Base RIV

Insights

Aviation History

NASA\'s SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) was a unique airborne observatory, one of the few Boeing 747SPs ever built and the only airborne infrared observatory in its class.

Fleet Rarity

1 of 1 in the world (last flying 747SP in any operational government/scientific capacity)

Record Flights

SOFIA operated scientific missions at altitudes up to 45,000 feet for infrared astronomy, not typical airline routes.

Safety & Events

No significant accidents; notable for contributing major astronomical discoveries, including water on the Moon.

Future Outlook

Retired from flight as of 2022; to be preserved/exhibited at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7J

Engine

59.6 m

Wingspan

56.3 m

Length

11,500 km

Range

988 km/h

Speed

Typically crew and scientists (SOFIA interior, not passenger service)

Capacity

315,700 kg

MTOW

19.3 m

Height

222 kN (50,000 lbf) per engine

Thrust

ICAO Chapter 3, ~105 dB on takeoff

Noise