NASA announced this week that the PRIMA (Probe far‑Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) project has been selected to enter Phase B of development, marking the first mission in the agency’s new Probe Explorers class. The move advances the design and technology work for a spacecraft intended to conduct the first large‑scale surveys of the cosmos at far‑infrared wavelengths.
Phase B and Next Steps
Phase B focuses on detailed design, engineering, and technology maturation. Completion of this phase will be followed by a confirmation review; only after a successful review will PRIMA proceed toward construction and eventual launch.
“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 for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, in a statement accompanying the announcement.
Program Context
NASA classifies its missions by size, scope and cost. Since the launch of Explorer 1 in 1958, the agency’s Explorers Program has supported a wide range of scientific spacecraft. PRIMA represents the first mission under a new Probe Explorers line, a development recommended in the 2020 Decadal Survey for Astronomy and Astrophysics—a ten‑year plan produced by the U.S. National Academies to set research priorities for the coming decade.
Mission Design
PRIMA will carry a 5.9‑foot (1.8‑meter) telescope specifically tuned for far‑infrared observations, a spectral region not covered by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which operates in the near‑ and mid‑infrared. By extending observations into longer wavelengths, the mission aims to fill a long‑standing gap in infrared space astronomy.
Scientists anticipate that far‑infrared data will enable new studies of the origins and evolution of exoplanets, distant galaxies, and black holes. The wavelength range also provides a unique view of interstellar dust, gas and debris, allowing researchers to trace how these components have transformed over cosmic time into the structures seen today.
“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,” said Shawn Domagal‑Goldman, director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division. He added that the mission complements the capabilities of the Webb and Roman space telescopes and fits into a planned cadence of premier‑class launches across the decade.
Management, Cost and Timeline
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California will manage PRIMA. The mission carries a projected cost of $1.2 billion. If development proceeds as scheduled, PRIMA is targeted for launch in 2033 and is designed to operate for a minimum of five years, delivering a continuous far‑infrared survey of the universe.
By adding a dedicated far‑infrared observatory to its portfolio, NASA aims to broaden the scientific return of its astrophysics fleet and provide a new tool for answering fundamental questions about the formation of planetary systems, the growth of galaxies, and the lifecycle of cosmic matter.
Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology.
