NASA has selected a new space telescope designed to investigate some of the universe’s most difficult-to-observe regions, advancing the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, known as PRIMA, into the next stage of development.

The mission is the first project in NASA’s new Probe Explorers class of astrophysics missions. PRIMA has now entered Phase B, a development stage focused on refining the spacecraft’s preliminary design and advancing key technologies. The observatory is currently targeted for launch in 2033 and is planned to operate for five years.

A New Window Into the Universe

PRIMA will observe the universe using far-infrared light, a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can reveal information that is difficult to obtain through visible light or shorter infrared wavelengths.

The telescope is designed with a mirror approximately 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) in diameter. Its observations will help bridge a gap between existing infrared observatories, including the James Webb Space Telescope, and radio telescopes.

Scientists expect far-infrared observations to provide valuable information about cold gas, dust and other material involved in the formation and evolution of astronomical objects.

Studying How Planets Are Born

One of PRIMA’s major scientific objectives will be investigating the environments where planets form.

Young stars are surrounded by disks containing gas and dust. These disks are the raw material from which planets can eventually develop.

Far-infrared observations can reveal important information about the chemical and physical conditions inside these regions, helping scientists understand how planetary systems develop.

The mission could also provide information relevant to the distribution of water and other important ingredients during planet formation.

Understanding Galaxy Evolution

PRIMA will also investigate how galaxies have changed throughout cosmic history.

Galaxies contain enormous amounts of gas and dust, and these materials play important roles in the birth of stars.

Much of the relevant radiation can emerge at far-infrared wavelengths. By detecting this radiation, scientists can investigate regions that may remain difficult to study at other wavelengths.

The resulting observations could help researchers understand how galaxies accumulated stars, dust and heavier elements over billions of years.

Looking at Growing Black Holes

Another major target will be the evolution of black holes at the centers of galaxies.

Supermassive black holes can grow by consuming material from their surroundings. The process can produce enormous amounts of energy and influence the environment around the black hole.

Dust surrounding these regions can absorb shorter-wavelength radiation and re-emit energy in the infrared.

PRIMA’s far-infrared observations could therefore provide another way to study the relationship between galaxies and their central black holes.

Why Far-Infrared Astronomy Matters

Space telescopes such as Webb have transformed infrared astronomy, but different wavelengths reveal different physical processes.

Far-infrared radiation is particularly valuable for studying relatively cool material, including dust and gas associated with star and planet formation.

PRIMA is intended to fill an observational gap between infrared and radio astronomy, giving scientists access to information that cannot be obtained from a single telescope operating at one wavelength range.

International Cooperation

Although NASA will manage the mission through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, PRIMA includes contributions from international partners.

Participating organizations include France’s CNES, Italy’s ASI, Germany’s DLR, the Canadian Space Agency, Korea’s KASI/KASA, Japan’s JAXA and the UK Space Agency.

International contributions are expected to support spacecraft systems, instruments and other mission technologies.

Moving Toward a 2033 Launch

PRIMA’s move into Phase B does not yet mean that the telescope has reached its final construction stage.

The mission must undergo a confirmation review examining its technical, programmatic and cost performance before moving into the next implementation phase.

NASA currently places a project cost cap of $1.2 billion, excluding launch and certain other non-project costs, if the mission proceeds following confirmation.

A New Tool for Cosmic Discovery

If successfully completed, PRIMA will provide astronomers with a new way to investigate the cold and dusty regions of the cosmos.

Its observations could help answer questions about how planets form, how galaxies evolve, how black holes grow and how dust and heavier elements accumulated throughout cosmic history.

The mission therefore represents more than another space telescope. It is intended to open a different observational window on the universe and complement the capabilities of existing observatories.

With a target launch in 2033, PRIMA is now entering a critical development period that will determine how its instruments, spacecraft and international contributions are transformed into a working observatory capable of exploring the far-infrared universe.