NASA Selects New Far-Infrared Space Telescope for Cosmic Exploration

• NASA has selected the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) as the inaugural project under its new 'Probe Explorers' mission class.
• The telescope is scheduled to launch in 2033 for a five-year mission to study the evolution of the universe, planet formation, and the origins of water.
• The mission is currently in Phase B development with a project cost cap of $1.2 billion.

Scientific Objectives

• PRIMA features a 5.9-foot aperture to conduct deep surveys in far-infrared light, bridging the gap between existing observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes.
• Researchers will use the data to understand the growth of galaxies, the evolution of black holes, and the accumulation of dust and heavy elements across cosmic time.

Development and Partnership

• The project is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with additional support from the Goddard Space Flight Center and Marshall Space Flight Center.
• The mission incorporates global collaboration, including contributions from:
  • Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)
  • Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
  • Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
  • Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
  • Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
  • UK Space Agency