Delaware State University will be picking up $5 million in a grant from NASA for its optics program.
One of the four projects will help the Mars Rover determine if there is life on the red planet.
The University lab examines the characteristics of live cells, dead cells and atomic signatures among other things.
WBOC reports that the NASA grant is the first major grant for the optics program since the construction of a new building last month.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons noted that the U.S. space program has produced many technological breakthroughs for the country.
In addition, University officials announce that they will be getting $1 million from the Bill Gates Foundation for graduation and retention.
