NASA's new PRIMA 'Probe Explorer' mission is truly the 1st of its kind. Here's what it will do

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1. 1d ago

   NASA Selects PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope for New Mission Class

   NASA has chosen the PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope as the first selection for a new class of mission known as Probe Explorers. This observatory aims to investigate the hidden universe and observe phenomena that other instruments, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, cannot see. Academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London have confirmed team members and researchers joining the landmark endeavor. The initiative represents an expansion of the agency's scientific portfolio to probe cosmic mysteries using advanced far-infrared detection capabilities.

   Why it matters

   NASA operates civil space programs and scientific research through various specialized missions spanning astrophysics and planetary exploration. The agency routinely selects competitive proposals to build space telescopes that address key gaps in our understanding of the cosmos. This particular project introduces a brand-new class of medium-scale missions designed to bridge the operational gap between smaller exploratory projects and flagship observatories.

   What is confirmed

   • NASA selected the PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope as the first mission in a new class of Probe Explorers.
   • Researchers from Imperial College London and three team members from Johns Hopkins University are joining the project.

   What to watch next

   • Further announcements regarding mission timelines, spacecraft development, and launch schedules.
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. science.nasa.gov — NASA Science
   2. www.nasa.gov — NASA
   3. www.nasa.gov — NASA Live - NASA
   4. science.nasa.gov — Mars - NASA Science
   5. en.wikipedia.org — NASA - Wikipedia
   6. plus.nasa.gov — Home | NASA+
   7. science.nasa.gov — Hubble Space Telescope - NASA Science
   8. images.nasa.gov — NASA Image and Video Library
   9. Space — NASA's new PRIMA 'Probe Explorer' mission is truly the 1st of its kind. Here's what it will do
   10. Johns Hopkins University — NASA space telescope project advances with three Hopkins team members
   11. Universe Today — NASA's First Selection for a New Class of Mission: The PRIMA Far-Infrared Telescope
   12. Imperial College London — Imperial researchers join landmark NASA mission to explore the hidden Universe
   confidence 90%