Cardiff astronomers to provide key technologies for revolutionary NASA mission

A landmark space telescope mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe will draw on Cardiff University expertise.

The $1.2 billion PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) is the first in a new class of NASA astrophysics missions, called Probe Explorers, and will revolutionise humanity’s understanding of the cold universe.

The observatory, which features a 1.8 metre telescope, will conduct deep, sensitive surveys of the universe in far-infrared light, helping bridge the gap between existing infrared observatories, such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and radio telescopes.

By studying radiant energy that only emerges in the far-infrared, PRIMA will address a wide range of questions about the universe. This includes:

• the origins of planets outside our solar system
• how galaxies and their black holes have grown and evolved over cosmic history
• how dust and heavy elements have built up in the universe over time

Targeted to launch in 2033, for a planned five-year mission, the observatory will help paint a better picture of why the universe looks the way it does today.

Researchers from the Astronomy Instrumentation Group (AIG) are part of the UK's PRIMA team, supported by the UK Space Agency, together with experts from the University of Sussex, Imperial College London, RAL Space and Celtic Terahertz Technology Ltd (CTT).

Professor Matt Griffin, UK PRIMA team member and Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University, said: “PRIMA’s selection is fantastic news for astronomers worldwide and for Cardiff University.

“The observatory will study the Universe at far infrared wavelengths with a spectacular leap in sensitivity compared to previous space satellites.”

UK participation in PRIMA draws upon expertise developed on world-leading missions stretching back to the 1980s, including IRAS (Infrared Astronomy Satellite), ISO (Infrared Space Observatory), Spitzer, and, most notably, the Herschel Space Observatory.

Collectively, these institutions will provide critical technologies and services that are central to the mission's success.

The UK team will supply the mission's far-infrared filters, an area in which the UK has developed a unique international capability through expertise at Cardiff University and CTT, and for which it has provided key components to many of the world's leading far-infrared observatories and space missions.

Cardiff University team lead and Head of the AIG, Professor Pete Hargrave said: “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.”

Cardiff will also provide internal calibration sources, building on heritage from the SPIRE instrument aboard Herschel, together with important elements of the mission's ground segment.