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Monday, October 5, 2026 · UTC
Launches & Rockets

NASA proceeds with Prima far-infrared space telescope, capped at $1.2 billion

The new mission will fill an observational gap left by the James Webb Space Telescope, confirmed 3 October 2026.

Luisa Marconi
Senior Space Correspondent
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NASA assembles Prima telescope to study far-infrared universe
NASA assembles Prima telescope to study far-infrared universe AI illustrationhow this picture was made
NASA will proceed with development of the Prima space telescope, with the mission budget capped at $1.2 billion.[1] Prima is built to observe the cold, dusty universe in far-infrared wavelengths. This spectral band cannot be seen by the James Webb Space Telescope.[2][3] The mission will cover a blind spot between the operating range of Webb and ground-based radio dishes.[4] The stated budget does not include launch costs.
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What this stands on
  1. NASA has capped Prima's budget at $1.2 billion, not including the actual rocket launch, which is a fraction of the roughly $10 billion spent on the James Webb Space Telescope. · Mashable
  2. NASA is moving forward with the Prima mission, a space telescope designed to observe the cold, dusty universe in far-infrared wavelengths. · Mashable
  3. Alexandra Pope, who will lead the mission's science team, stated that Prima is necessary because the James Webb Space Telescope cannot see the far-infrared part of the spectrum. · Mashable
  4. Prima will fill a blind spot in humanity's view of space by targeting the band of light between the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based radio dishes. · Mashable
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