NASA Tested New Lunar Landing Navigation System
The research-stage SPLICE technology aims to enable autonomous precision landings on the Moon and Mars.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Space
NASA researchers completed testing of the Safe and Precise Landing - Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) experiment on August 27, 2026. This research-stage navigation and guidance system was evaluated using an Alta-X drone to simulate descent maneuvers.
Why it matters
The SPLICE system is designed to enable spacecraft to land in challenging or unknown environments by improving autonomous navigation. This capability supports future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and other icy worlds.
The SPLICE experiment utilizes specialized navigation, guidance, and processing techniques to calculate landing trajectories. Testing validated these simulated maneuvers via an Alta-X drone flight performed in Edwards, California.
The players
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the civil space program and aeronautics research.
Johnson Space Center
The NASA facility in Houston that leads human spaceflight training and spacecraft development.
The details
The SPLICE system uses a suite of sensors and processing algorithms to perform autonomous landing maneuvers. Researchers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, developed this technology to allow a spacecraft to identify terrain and navigate toward a target site during a descent. This process replaces reliance on pre-mapped landing zones, which is essential for reaching unexplored areas of scientific interest.
Timeline
August 27, 2026: An Alta-X drone completed the SPLICE system flight test.
The Tech Race
This development aligns with the broader research trajectory of the Artemis program, which necessitates high-precision landing systems for future surface missions. It marks a shift toward testing autonomous guidance in atmospheric conditions before deploying such hardware on lunar-bound spacecraft.
This technology remains in the research phase and does not currently impact civilian or commercial space access. It serves as a necessary prerequisite for future missions that aim to increase the reliability of landings in previously inaccessible, high-value scientific regions.
The takeaway
Autonomous landing technology is a critical hurdle for the next era of lunar and Martian exploration. Watch for future flight tests that integrate these navigation modules into lunar lander prototypes to evaluate their performance in vacuum conditions.
Further reading
For more on how agencies are tackling deep space navigation, visit our Space section.
