NASA has advanced PRIMA, a far-infrared space telescope, into its next development phase, with UVA astronomers playing key roles. Professor Jason Glenn led the mission’s concept study, while Ilse Cleeves serves as co-investigator. Targeted for 2033 launch, PRIMA will explore planet formation, black hole growth and cosmic dust, marking UVA’s expansion into space-based astronomy.
A UVA expert explains the tech giant’s satellite test plan and whether putting AI systems in space could ease environmental pressures on Earth.
UVA’s Center for Applied Biomechanics researches how the human body sustains injury—and how to prevent it—in both car crashes and combat. Jason Forman leads automotive safety work with NHTSA, while Robert Salzar develops military protective equipment, including the Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin, born from studying blast injuries in MRAP vehicles.
UVA students and scientists joined NASA researchers at Morven Sustainability Lab to test technology that could help farmers protect the food we eat while using fewer resources.
UVA’s Peter Beling discusses why tech giants are eyeing space for AI data centers, driven by unlimited solar energy and SpaceX’s reusable rocket breakthroughs. He explores security risks like cosmic radiation and satellite attacks, the geopolitics of a space-based AI race, and why building trustworthy, resilient AI systems matters more than raw speed or capability.
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