NASA announced in September 2026 that it had chosen the proposed PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) for further development under its Probe Explorers program. The mission concept, illustrated in an artist’s rendering released by the agency, would be the first dedicated observatory designed to capture far-infrared light across the sky.

According to the agency, PRIMA’s primary goal would be to examine cosmic objects that are obscured by interstellar dust, a category that includes regions where new stars and planetary systems are forming. By penetrating these dusty clouds, the mission aims to clarify how planetary systems assemble, how stars evolve, and how supermassive black holes grow.

The observatory would also investigate the origins of water on Earth, seeking chemical signatures that could link our planet’s supply to processes occurring in distant nebulae. If approved, PRIMA would launch in 2033 and operate for approximately five years, conducting a series of targeted observations.

The selection marks the first step in a multi-phase review process. NASA officials say the mission will undergo additional technical and cost assessments before a final go-ahead is granted.

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