In a statement, NASA said it has developed a technically viable plan to proceed with the development of SOFIA, "subject to the identification of appropriate funding offsets."

Earlier this year, the agency had decided to discontinue SOFIA's funding beginning in fiscal year 2007, which begins Oct. 1, "as a result of technical, programmatic, and budget challenges affecting the program."

"We placed the program on hold last February because of programmatic and technical issues," said Rex Geveden, the PMC's chairman. "Since that time, we have thoroughly reviewed the program and now are confident that SOFIA can resolve those issues. However, it is not yet clear whether SOFIA represents the best investment of space science funding, and we will need to consider funding options and sources before we decide to continue the mission."

SOFIA has been under development since 1996 as an airborne astronomical observatory consisting of a 2.5-meter aperture telescope permanently installed in a specially-modified 747. The aircraft, fitted with an open-port telescope provided through a partnership with the German Aerospace Center, would provide routine access to space observations in several parts of the spectrum beyond the visible range.

The PMC is chaired by Geveden, a NASA associate administrator, and comprises personnel from NASA headquarters and center senior management. SOFIA is managed for NASA by the Universities Space Research Association.

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