Astronomical research with SOFIA at the DLR Institute for Space Sensor Technology.

The DLR Institute for Space Sensor Technology will play an active role in the scientific research with SOFIA. Scientific issues to be addressed focus around evolution of galaxies, star formation and evolution, and the role of interstellar matter. The author presents the results of detailed modeling of SOFIA's sensitivity in several oberving modes. He compares the results with corresponding numbers from ground based competitors and space projects. Implications of the specific strengths of SOFIA for the author's scientific issues is discussed.