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NASA advances PRIMA mission as first Probe Explorer space telescope
Key points
- NASA selected PRIMA as the first Probe Explorer mission.
- Probe Explorers aim for more science at a lower cost than flagships.
- PRIMA is expected to launch in the early 2030s.
- AXIS, a competing X-ray observatory, was disqualified due to budget and schedule concerns.
NASA Selects PRIMA for Development
NASA announced its decision to proceed with the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA). This mission will be the inaugural project in the agency's new Probe Explorer class of space telescopes. The goal of the Probe Explorer program is to achieve a balance between the scientific capabilities of large flagship observatories and the cost-effectiveness of smaller Explorer-class missions.
New Class of Observatories
The Probe Explorer class was recommended by an independent panel of scientists and is intended to deliver significant scientific returns at a lower cost than flagship missions, which can exceed $4 billion. PRIMA is currently on track for a launch in the early 2030s. This new category aims to fill a gap between the several hundred million dollar Explorer missions and the most expensive observatories like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Mission Selection Process
PRIMA became the sole finalist for the first Probe Explorer mission after a competing X-ray observatory, AXIS, was disqualified earlier this year. NASA cited that a concept study for AXIS indicated it would not meet the agency's established schedule and budget constraints. PRIMA will be led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
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Reporting from
NASA announced it is moving forward with PRIMA (Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), the first mission in its new Probe Explorer class of space observatories. This initiative aims to balance the cost and scientific output between smaller Explorer missions and multi-billion dollar flagship telescopes, with PRIMA expected to launch in the early 2030s.