SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) on its maiden test flight with a completely opened telescope hatch on 18 December 2009 over the Californian Mojave Desert. The 2.7 metre telescope, built in Germany, is visible through the opening in the fuselage of this Boeing 747SP. The test flight with an open hatch enabled engineers to examine the movement of air in and around telescope and door under experimental conditions for the first time.
The Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has with great sadness received news of the death of the former director of the Institute of Space Sensor Technology, Hans-Peter Röser. Professor Röser headed the DLR Institute in Berlin-Adlershof from 1994 until 2002. Under his leadership, many major space projects, such as the first satellite developed and built by DLR – the Bispectral and Infrared Remote Detection (BIRD) spacecraft – were implemented. BIRD was the first satellite to carry an imaging spectrometer, the Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS), and an Airborne Digital Camera (ADC).
Following his appointment as Director of the Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart, Professor Röser maintained close ties with DLR. His name is closely connected with the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a joint DLR / NASA project, to which he was particularly dedicated. It is thanks to Professor Röser's commitment that the German SOFIA Institute (Deutsches SOFIA Institut; DSI) at the University of Stuttgart was founded.
Professor Röser will be greatly missed by the German and international aerospace community. His extensive knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm were always greatly valued. DLR has much to thank Professor Röser for and will remember him with gratitude.
