NASA Tests Autonomous Lunar Landing Guidance on Drone
The SPLICE system completed simulated lunar descent maneuvers on an Alta-X drone at Rogers Dry Lake in California.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Space
NASA demonstrated its SPLICE autonomous landing guidance system on an Alta-X drone on August 27 at Rogers Dry Lake near Edwards, California. The system maps terrain and diverts the vehicle to a safer spot if the targeted landing area is unsafe.
Why it matters
Precision autonomous landing is a key requirement for future lunar and Martian missions, and validation of the guidance and navigation systems applies to terrestrial, lunar, and Martian descent. NASA has also worked with several commercial lunar lander providers on SPLICE iterations.
The SPLICE payload generates high-resolution digital elevation maps from light-detection and sensor data to assess potential landing areas during descent. Its performance in the full-scale Voyager test, planned for later this month, has not yet been reported.
The players
NASA Johnson Space Center
NASA's human spaceflight center in Houston that developed the SPLICE payload.
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA's flight research center in Edwards, California that integrated and flew the SPLICE payload on the Alta-X drone.
Voyager Technologies
A company hosting a planned full-scale SPLICE test in Mojave, California.
The details
NASA Johnson Space Center researchers developed the SPLICE payload, and NASA Armstrong specialists integrated and flew it aboard the Alta-X drone in June and July. The system uses an advanced guidance system to map terrain, assess landing areas, and divert the drone when a targeted site is unsafe.
Timeline
June and July 2019: Early SPLICE flight testing covered a descent and landing trajectory similar to a lunar mission.
June and July: SPLICE was integrated and flown on the Alta-X drone.
August 27: The Alta-X completed simulated lunar landing maneuvers at Rogers Dry Lake.
Later this month: A full-scale test is planned at Voyager Technologies in Mojave, California.
This fall: The SPLICE guidance system is planned for the NASA software catalog.
Deeper Dive
The SPLICE demonstration builds on NASA's 2019 and 2020 precision landing sensor tests, extending that work into a complete autonomous guidance system that maps terrain and selects safe landing sites. It follows a decade of SPLICE development aimed at precision landings on the Moon and Mars.
If validated, precision autonomous landing could make future lunar and Martian missions safer by allowing spacecraft to avoid hazardous terrain. The technology could also benefit commercial lunar lander providers that are already working with NASA on SPLICE iterations.
The takeaway
Autonomous terrain mapping and safe-site selection are emerging as core capabilities for precision landings beyond Earth. SPLICE's flight tests show how drone demonstrations can validate guidance systems before they are used on lunar or Martian missions.
What happens next
NASA plans a full-scale SPLICE test at Voyager Technologies in Mojave, California later this month, and intends to make the guidance system available in its software catalog this fall.
Further reading
Explore more Space coverage for context on NASA's lunar and planetary missions.
