Key Points
- Astronomers at Cardiff University will provide critical far-infrared filters and internal calibrators for NASA’s next PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) mission.
- This $1.2 billion mission is the first in NASA’s new class of missions called Probe Explorers and is set to be launched in 2033.
- The UK collaboration will include scientists from Cardiff University’s Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG), the University of Sussex, Imperial College London, RAL Space, and Celtic Terahertz Technology Ltd (CTT), backed by the UK Space Agency.
- The 1.8-metre telescope will carry out deep surveys using far-infrared light to fill the gap between current infrared observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope and radio telescopes.
- This mission seeks to explore the formation of exoplanets, galaxy and black hole evolution, growth of cosmic dust and magnetic fields in the Galaxy.
- The UK involvement in this mission will capitalise on years of space mission experience starting with IRAS, ISO, Spitzer and Herschel Space Observatory.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) September 29, 2026 – A landmark space telescope initiative designed to investigate the history and evolution of the universe will heavily feature British scientific expertise, as Cardiff University astronomers prepare to deliver critical instrumentation for a major international space programme.
The $1.2 billion PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) has officially been selected by NASA to progress to its next developmental phase, marking it as the inaugural project within a new classification of astrophysics missions designated as Probe Explorers. Featuring a 1.8-metre telescope, the orbiting observatory will execute deep, sensitive astronomical surveys utilising far-infrared light. This technological capability is intended to bridge the technological and observational gap currently existing between infrared facilities, such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and conventional radio telescopes.
What is the Purpose of NASA’s PRIMA Mission?
By observing radiant energy that exclusively emerges in the far-infrared spectrum, the mission will investigate several core astrophysical inquiries concerning the formation of the cosmos. As detailed by the project framework, these objectives encompass determining the origins of planets situated outside our solar system, understanding how galaxies and their corresponding supermassive black holes have expanded across cosmic history, and mapping how dust and heavy elements accumulated throughout the universe over time. Targeted for a 2033 launch, the observatory is planned to operate for a five-year duration, providing astronomers with clearer insights into the structural makeup of the contemporary universe.
How Are UK Researchers Contributing to the Project?
The UK participation in the mission is spearheaded by researchers from the Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG) alongside academic and industrial partners, including the University of Sussex, Imperial College London, RAL Space, and Celtic Terahertz Technology Ltd (CTT), backed by funding and backing from the UK Space Agency.
Reflecting on the announcement, Professor Matt Griffin, UK PRIMA team member and Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University, stated as reported by Cardiff University News, that
“PRIMA’s selection is fantastic news for astronomers worldwide and for Cardiff University.”
Professor Griffin further noted that
“the observatory will study the Universe at far infrared wavelengths with a spectacular leap in sensitivity compared to previous space satellites.”
He added that the mission
“will allow us to see how galaxies evolved over cosmic time, to probe the magnetic fields in our Galaxy and find out how they influence star formation, and to examine the dust, gas, and ice around young stars, the material from which planets form.”
The UK’s involvement builds upon a long-standing heritage of contributions to world-leading international missions dating back to the 1980s, which include the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS), the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), Spitzer, and the Herschel Space Observatory.
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What Specific Technologies Will Cardiff Provide?
The Cardiff-led contingent and its industrial partners will deliver specialised mission-critical components. Specifically, the UK team is tasked with manufacturing the mission’s far-infrared filters—a technological domain where Cardiff University and CTT have established a unique international capability through years of supplying components to global space missions.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Professor Pete Hargrave, Cardiff University team lead and Head of the AIG, stated as reported by Cardiff University News, that
“we are really excited to be working with a fantastic international team to collectively provide a new space observatory that will push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe.”
Professor Hargrave also emphasised that “the unique technologies, skills and expertise developed over many years by the Cardiff AIG and its industry partner, CTT Ltd. are key to the successful implementation of PRIMA.”
In addition to the far-infrared filters, Cardiff will supply internal calibration sources, drawing directly upon heritage instrumentation developed for the SPIRE instrument aboard the Herschel Space Observatory, alongside critical elements required for the mission’s ground segment operations.
Background of the Particular Development
The selection of the PRIMA mission by NASA represents the culmination of years of strategic development within the global astrophysical community to address observational blind spots in the far-infrared spectrum. Historically, Earth’s atmosphere blocks most far-infrared radiation, making space-based observatories essential for this wavelength band. Previous milestones, such as the European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory (which retired in 2013), laid foundational frameworks for cold-universe observation.
Over subsequent decades, institutions like Cardiff University’s Astronomy Instrumentation Group refined filter technologies and calibration mechanisms through continuous participation in orbital projects. The Probe Explorers class was subsequently formulated by NASA to fund medium-scale missions that fill the gap between smaller Explorer missions and multibillion-dollar flagship observatories, allowing initiatives like PRIMA to secure advancement toward a 2033 launch window.
The involvement of Cardiff University and its industrial partners in the PRIMA mission is poised to significantly impact the UK academic sector, domestic space technology industries, and the broader scientific community. For UK researchers, engineers, and students at institutions such as Cardiff University, the University of Sussex, and Imperial College London, direct participation in a $1.2 billion NASA initiative offers unprecedented access to cutting-edge cosmic data and strengthens international collaborative networks.
Commercially, specialized suppliers like Celtic Terahertz Technology Ltd stand to benefit from heightened global recognition of their specialized manufacturing capabilities in far-infrared filters and calibration hardware, potentially securing future contracts in international aerospace engineering. Furthermore, the scientific outcomes derived from PRIMA’s observations—ranging from exoplanetary formation mechanics to galactic evolution—will provide foundational data for astrophysicists worldwide, shaping academic curricula and inspiring future generations of space scientists over the next decade and beyond.
