NASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class

NASA announced Wednesday that a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to the next phase of development. It is the first in a new class of NASA astrophysics missions called Probe Explorers, established within the agency's longstanding Explorers Program. The new class was recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's 2020 Decadal Survey, "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s."

NASA selected PRIMA to move into Phase B, the stage of development that advances the preliminary design and technology development for the mission. The mission is subject to a confirmation review based on technical, programmatic, and cost performance to determine its readiness to begin implementation in Phase C. If confirmed, PRIMA's project cost is capped at $1.2 billion, not including launch and other non-project costs. The observatory is targeted to launch in 2033 for a planned five-year mission.

With a 5.9-foot telescope, PRIMA will conduct deep, sensitive surveys of the universe in far-infrared light, helping bridge the gap between existing infrared observatories such as NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes. By studying radiant energy that only emerges in the far-infrared, PRIMA will address a wide range of questions: the origins of planets outside our solar system, how galaxies and their black holes have grown and evolved over cosmic history, and how dust and heavy elements have built up in the universe over time.

"The PRIMA mission is humanity's next window into the deep universe. It will unveil the obscure across cosmic time to better understand the formation of planets, stars, black holes, and even how water on Earth came to be," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Shawn Domagal-Goldman, director of NASA's Astrophysics Division, framed PRIMA as part of a broader pipeline: "A single mission alone can't probe all the universe's mysteries. But by extending the survey capabilities of our fleet into far-infrared wavelengths with PRIMA, we're enabling an incredibly comprehensive look at the cosmos." He added that with the Webb and Roman space telescopes, NASA has set a cadence of launching premiere-class missions in both halves of the decade and will kick off the next decade with PRIMA. NASA selected PRIMA after detailed evaluation of concept studies for Probe Explorer missions based on scientific merit in alignment with the Decadal Survey's recommendations, feasibility of development plans on cost and schedule, and use of technologies that could support future large missions.