Launching a new phase of NASA astrophysics

The PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) represents a major leap in NASA’s astrophysics program, designed to study the universe’s formation and evolution through far-infrared light. Officially moving into Phase B, the mission now focuses on refining its design and technology, with a confirmation review pending before advancing to Phase C, where implementation begins. If approved, PRIMA’s project cost is capped at $1.2 billion, excluding launch and non-project expenses, as reported by the University of Michigan and NASA.

Mission Objectives and Scientific Goals

PRIMA aims to address fundamental questions about the universe, including the origins of planets, the growth of galaxies, and the distribution of cosmic dust and heavy elements. This will be a transformative NASA mission, said Edwin Bergin, a University of Michigan astronomer and co-investigator on the project. The telescope will bridge gaps between existing observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes, offering new insights into the “obscure” aspects of cosmic history.

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Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, emphasized PRIMA’s role in expanding humanity’s understanding of the 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, she said, echoing statements from both the University of Michigan and NASA’s official release.

Development Phase and Cost Constraints

PRIMA’s development is structured within NASA’s Explorers Program, which has a legacy of low-cost, high-impact missions. The mission is part of a new class called Probe Explorers, recommended by the 2020 National Academies’ Decadal Survey. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will manage the project, with contributions from the Goddard Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and international partners like the Canadian Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the UK Space Agency.

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International Collaboration and Partnerships

The mission’s scale demands a global effort, with Domagal-Goldman stating, This is a sufficiently ambitious observatory where it’s going to require an all-of-nation approach. International collaboration includes contributions from agencies like CNES, ASI, DLR and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. The California Institute of Technology’s Infrared Processing & Analysis Center will serve as the mission’s science center, handling data processing and archiving.

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Caltech President Ray Jayawardhana highlighted the project’s technological advancements, noting that PRIMA’s detectors stem from three decades of research by Caltech and JPL. PRIMA represents a giant leap for far-infrared astronomy, he said, underscoring the collaboration between academic institutions, NASA centers, and international partners.

Challenges and Future Outlook

With a planned five-year mission, PRIMA is positioned to join NASA’s pipeline of premier-class missions, following the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The agency aims to maintain a cadence of launching missions of this caliber ready to go, as stated by Domagal-Goldman. If approved, PRIMA’s launch in 2033 would mark a new era in far-infrared astronomy, offering unprecedented insights into the universe’s hidden processes.