British scientists could soon be taking a starring role in a groundbreaking NASA mission, worth an eye-watering $1 billion.
The ambitious project, known as the PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA), is one of two proposals NASA is seriously considering for its next grand exploration into the cosmos.
The goal? To delve into the very origins of planets, black holes, stars, and cosmic dust – all the building blocks of the universe as we know it.
Behind this extraordinary effort stands a UK team with some of the country’s top scientific institutions: RAL Space, the University of Sussex, Imperial College London, and Cardiff University. Together, they’re aiming to develop a 1.8-metre far-infrared telescope capable of examining wavelengths invisible to many of today’s telescopes. By bridging the observational gap between powerful instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes, PRIMA could open a new window on space, peering into areas no telescope has yet ventured.
NASA has already committed $5 million for PRIMA’s year-long mission study, along with the competing Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXiS) proposal. In 2026, NASA will make the final decision on which project will go ahead, and if PRIMA wins the race, it would be the first mission in a new line of Explorers missions. This innovative series of missions is designed to sit between NASA’s flagship projects and its smaller-scale explorations, aiming to unlock some of the universe’s most tightly held secrets.
Dr Chris Pearson, Astrophysics Programme Lead at RAL Space, highlighted the excitement around PRIMA, stating, “It’s fantastic news for scientists studying star and galaxy formation.” Pearson emphasised that RAL Space brings crucial experience to the project, having been involved in similar missions, including the Herschel Space Observatory launched in 2009.
In an official release, Dr Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, called this mission a landmark moment. “NASA’s Explorers Program showcases some of the most creative ideas for unravelling the mysteries of our universe,” Fox stated, adding that these new missions push the boundaries of science, advance cutting-edge technologies, and offer access for the global scientific community.
With such high stakes, there’s no denying the fierce competition between PRIMA and AXiS. But if PRIMA succeeds, it will give British scientists a pivotal role in answering some of the universe’s most profound questions and put UK research on the cosmic map for years to come.
