The Echelon-cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) is one of the first generation instruments for the Stratospheric
Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). It operates at high, medium, and low spectral resolution in the
wavelength region 4.5 to 28.3 microns using a 1024x1024 Si:As detector array. From SOFIA, the high spectral
resolution mode (R ≈ 100,000) will provide truly unique data given the improved atmospheric transmission. We
are currently involved with system testing in preparation for our first ground-based telescope run to occur in
Jan 2011 at the NASA IRTF 3m. We present the current status of EXES including lab results in our high and
medium resolution modes, our plans for ground-based observing, and our expectations for operations on SOFIA.
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