Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy Design Reference Mission Case Study Science Steering Committee Supernova Remnants and the Life Cycle of Interstellar Dust Program contacts: Eli Dwek, Richard Arendt, Jesse Bregman, Sean Colgan, Harriet Dinerstein, Robert Gehrz, Harvey Moseley Scientific category: INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM Instruments: EXES, FLITECAM/CAM, FORCAST, FIFI-LS, HAWC, SAFIRE Hours of observation: 110 Abstract We propose to use the unique instrumental capabilities of SOFIA to conduct imaging and spectroscopic studies of supernovae (SNe), of young supernova remnants (SNRs) for which the ejecta have not yet fully mixed with the ISM, and select regions in older remnants which are interacting with the ambient ISM. These observations will address key issues within NASA’s Visions for Science quest for discovering the origin, structure, evolution and destiny of the universe: What is the origin of dust in early universe? How efficient are supernovae in producing interstellar dust? How efficient are their blast waves in destroying, processing, or even forming dust as they expand into the circumstellar and interstellar medium? How do interstellar shocks facilitate chemical reaction on the surfaces of dust grains? The answers to these questions are crucial for understanding the evolutionary cycle of interstellar dust, the role of dust in the processing of starlight and in determining the thermal balance and chemistry of the ISM, and its role in the formation of protoplanetary objects. Our proposed observations will explore crucial stages of this evolutionary cycle, most readily observed at wavelengths between ∼ 5 - 300 μm with spectral resolution from ∼ 30 - 3 × 10 4 , and at spatial resolution of a few arcseconds, requiring therefore the unique capabilities of the different SOFIA instruments. =================================