<title>SOFIA telescope</title>

Abstract

The SOFIA is a major milestone in the prospering wavelength range of the IR. As a successor of the tremendously successful Kuiper Airborne Observatory it will be the biggest astronomical airborne observatory ever hilt, comprising a 3m-class telescope onboard a Boeing 747SP. Presented in an overview on the telescope as the heart of SOFIA, and discussion of some of the requirements; description of the optical and mechanical design and give an update on the current status of construction.