PRIMA is a cryogenically-cooled, far-infrared observatory concept for the community in the 2030 decade.

1. PRIMA addresses all 3 science goals for a far-IR Probe from the National Academy of Sciences Astronomy 2020 Decadal Survey:
   1. Tracing the astrochemical signatures of planet formation
   2. Probing the co-evolution of galaxies and their supermassive black holes across cosmic time
   3. Measuring the formation and buildup of galaxies, heavy elements, and interstellar dust from the first galaxies to today
2. The international astronomical community is excited about PRIMA and has formulated 76 example science cases from comets to cosmology, published in the PRIMA General Observer (GO) science book. These are only possible with a cold far-IR space telescope and PRIMA can do them all and more, in the more than 75% GO time.
3. We have the technology in hand to implement PRIMA. The biggest challenge has been the detectors and the Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDS) have exceeded our baseline sensitivity requirements across the far-infrared spectrum. We have fabricated large arrays which will provide unprecedented capability - with observing speed 100,000 times faster than prior far-IR observatories.
4. History has shown that orders-of-magnitude leaps in sensitivity lead to transformative discoveries of unanticipated phenomena. PRIMA is poised to revolutionize astronomy in the most unexplored region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

For more technical details, see the PRIMA Fact Sheet. Stay up to date about the PRIMA Probe mission by joining our Mailing List to receive our Community Newsletter.

Latest News

• The PRIMA General Observer Science Book is now published.