Article: RESEARCH ON RUNWAY: New star alliance; United Airlines is on board to fly airborne space scope.(Technology)(Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope)(Statistical Data Included)

Byline: PAUL MERRION

United Airlines is getting ready to fly a time machine.

This novel cargo isn't something out of H. G. Wells, but a 38,000-pound, German-built telescope mounted in a Boeing 747, giving it an unobstructed view of the heavens-and the origins of the universe-from 41,000 feet.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy-dubbed Sofia-promises to be an important new astronomy tool, on par with the Hubble Space Telescope in size, capability and scientific potential.

``The Hubble is a tough act for any mission to follow, but Sofia will garner its share of front-page news,'' says Steven Brody, Sofia program ...

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