  SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy mounted on-board
a Boeing 747SP will open a new era in MIR/FIR astronomy. Starting in 2002,
SOFIA will offer German and American astronomers a unique platform, providing
regular access to the entire MIR and FIR wavelength range between 5 micron and
300 micron part of which is otherwise inaccessible from the ground. SOFIAs 2.7m
mirror and optimized telescope system combines the highest available spatial
resolution with excellent sensitivity. SOFIA will operate in both celestial
hemispheres for the next two decades. In this paper we present an overview of
the SOFIA project and the science that this observatory will be able to
address.
