NASA selects far-Infrared telescope as first in new mission class

NASA announced Wednesday a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to the next phase of development. This space telescope is the first in a new class of NASA astrophysics missions, called Probe Explorers, within the agency�s longstanding Explorers Program.

�The PRIMA mission is humanity�s next window into the deep universe. It will unveil the obscure across cosmic time to better understand the formation of planets, stars, black holes, and even how water on Earth came to be," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington.