NASA is advancing a new space telescope concept called PRIMA, which is being considered for a launch as early as 2033, according to Live Science.
The mission is intended to study how galaxies evolve and how planets form from disks of gas and dust, according to Science (AAAS), which also reported the mission's cost at $1.2 billion. PRIMA is designed to observe far-infrared light, an area Live Science reported could reveal things even the James Webb Space Telescope cannot see.
According to Ars Technica, NASA aims to build PRIMA using spare parts from the Webb telescope, which the outlet said would allow the mission to be built in record time at a lower cost.
Details on the telescope's exact capabilities, timeline certainty, and full mission scope vary slightly across the available reports, with cost and launch-date specifics each reported by a single outlet.
How each side covered it
Left
- Ars Technica emphasized NASA's push to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time.
- The outlet highlighted that PRIMA will reuse spare parts from the James Webb telescope to lower costs.
- Coverage framed the mission as an effort to achieve major science outcomes economically.
“NASA's PRIMA mission will use spare parts from Webb to do major science at a lower cost.” — Ars Technica
Center
- Live Science reported PRIMA is advancing toward a possible 2033 launch to study the origins of planets and galaxies.
- Live Science noted PRIMA could observe phenomena beyond the capabilities of the James Webb telescope.
- Science (AAAS) reported the mission's cost at $1.2 billion and its goal of reopening far-infrared observation.
- Science (AAAS) emphasized PRIMA's role in exploring galaxy evolution and planet formation from gas and dust disks.
“NASA's $1.2 billion PRIMA will explore how galaxies evolve and how planets emerge from disks of gas and dust” — Science (AAAS)
Questions readers ask
What is NASA's PRIMA telescope?
PRIMA is a new space telescope concept NASA is advancing that would observe far-infrared light to study how galaxies evolve and how planets form from disks of gas and dust, according to Live Science and Science (AAAS).
When could PRIMA launch?
Live Science reported that PRIMA is being considered for a launch as early as 2033.
How much will PRIMA cost?
According to Science (AAAS), PRIMA is expected to cost about $1.2 billion.
Why does PRIMA matter?
According to Live Science, PRIMA could observe aspects of the universe that even the James Webb Space Telescope cannot detect, particularly in far-infrared light.
How is NASA keeping costs down on PRIMA?
According to Ars Technica, NASA plans to build PRIMA using spare parts from the James Webb Space Telescope, which the outlet said would speed construction and lower costs.
Sources · 3 outlet reports
- Ars TechnicaLeft-leaningWith PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time
- Live ScienceCenterNASA teases new PRIMA telescope that could see what even the James Webb telescope can't
- Science (AAAS)CenterNew space telescope will reopen astronomers’ view of the far-infrared