What Does KAO Stand For?

KAO stands for Kuiper Airborne Observatory

The Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) was a NASA-operated airborne observatory that conducted astronomical research from the stratosphere. It was designed to gather data in infrared wavelengths, enabling scientists to observe celestial objects and phenomena that are often obscured by Earth's atmosphere. The KAO played a significant role in advancing our understanding of star formation, planetary science, and the dynamics of the universe before its retirement in the late 1990s.