NASA has selected PRIMA, a far-infrared space telescope, to move into Phase B as the first mission in its new Probe Explorers astrophysics class. The observatory is targeted for launch in 2033, with a planned five-year mission and a capped project cost of $1.2 billion, pending confirmation review.
The mission, developed with technical leadership from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, will study the universe in far-infrared wavelengths and help bridge an observational gap between existing infrared facilities such as the James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes. It is designed to examine galaxy evolution, planet formation, dust and heavy elements across cosmic time.
NASA chose PRIMA after assessing Probe Explorer concepts for scientific merit, feasibility, cost, schedule and alignment with Decadal Survey recommendations. If confirmed, the telescope will become a 1.8-metre-class observatory and the agency’s first probe-class astrophysics mission under the long-running Explorers programme.
Caltech’s IPAC is among the mission partners supporting the science side of the project. NASA will decide whether PRIMA advances to implementation after a later review of technical, programme and cost performance.