Technology and Science · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
NASA Selects PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope for Probe Explorers Class, Moves Into Phase B
PRIMA named NASA's first Probe Explorers mission, advancing to Phase B development. far-infrared telescope to study universe history and evolution, cost about $1 billion.
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PRIMA heads to Phase B
NASA selected the far-infrared space telescope PRIMA, short for the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, as the first mission in its new Probe Explorers class and moved it into Phase B development. PRIMA is targeted to launch in 2033 for a planned five-year mission, and PRIMA’s project cost is capped at $1.2 billion if the mission is confirmed to begin implementation in Phase C. PRIMA will be led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama are among the partners.
NASA described PRIMA as using far-infrared light to explore the history and evolution of the universe, and the observatory will conduct deep, sensitive surveys with a 1.8-meter telescope. The mission is subject to a confirmation review based on technical, programmatic, and cost performance before it can proceed into Phase C.
Hardware and science goals
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) said it will provide key optomechanical components and control electronics for PRIMA, and MPIA said it will contribute opto-mechanical components including control electronics. MPIA said PRIMA will study star and planet formation, galaxy evolution, black holes, and cosmic dust by bridging the observational gap between existing infrared and radio telescopes. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington, said, "The PRIMA mission is humanity’s next window into the deep universe."
Oliver Krause, one of MPIA’s PRIMA co-Is, said, "We are proud that, thanks to our expertise, MPIA once again contributes to a groundbreaking NASA space telescope now selected for the next step of development." MPIA said PRIMA’s proposed technical contribution includes two high-precision, actively controlled beam-steering mirrors, so-called two-axis focal plane choppers, one each for PRIMAger and FIRESS.
Partners, instruments, and leadership
PRIMA will move into what’s referred to as Phase B development, allowing for further development of the preliminary design and for NASA to conduct technical and budget reviews. PRIMA will move forward into Phase C if approved, with a max project cost of $1.2 billion, not including launch and other costs. Caltech said PRIMA will feature a cryogenically cooled 1.8-meter telescope, an imaging polarimeter (PRIMAger) to map large areas of the sky, and a high-resolution spectrometer (FIRESS) to conduct multimode spectroscopy.
Caltech said PRIMA’s suite of instruments will investigate the universe at far-infrared wavelengths ranging from 24 micrometers to 235 micrometers. Caltech said the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA, will develop and operate the $1 billion observatory named PRIMA, and Caltech said IPAC will serve as the mission science center where raw data is received, processed, and archived.