The SOFIA science instrument program: lessons learned

We present an overview of the science instrument program for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Funded for an initial suite of facility and PI instruments, the SOFIA instrument development program includes imagers and spectrometers from both U.S. and German development teams. With an emphasis on lessons learned, we review the development of the facility instrument suite. We conclude with the anticipated role for SOFIA as a new technology test bed for the latest far-infrared detectors.