NASA has officially approved the development of the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA). This observatory is the first in the new Probe Explorers line, designed to bridge the gap between smaller, low-cost missions and multibillion-dollar flagship projects.
The mission has a cost cap of $1.2 billion, excluding launch expenses. NASA aims to launch the telescope in 2033. The observatory will feature a 1.8-meter primary mirror and will be positioned at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately one million miles from Earth.
PRIMA will operate in the far-infrared spectrum, covering wavelengths from 24 to 235 micrometers. To achieve the required sensitivity, the optics must be cooled to 4.5 Kelvin. The mission will utilize a modified spare cryocooler originally developed for the James Webb Space Telescope.
The spacecraft is expected to weigh less than 3.4 metric tons at launch. The project is currently entering Phase B of development, which includes a preliminary design review. The mission will be led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
NASA is also planning the Habitable Worlds Observatory for the 2040s, with early cost estimates reaching $11 billion. The agency intends to apply management lessons learned from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to maintain budget and schedule discipline for future flagships.
