Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. First science flights will begin in 2004. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The

sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have a number of experiments related to Brown Dwarf research; some of these are discussed.