Space

NASA Navigation Experiment Shows Promise for Planetary Landings

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 04/11/2026, 19:20:24 UTC.

Briefings

NASA successfully tested the SPLICE guidance system on an Alta-X drone at Edwards Air Force Base in July 2026, confirming autonomous navigation for lunar and Martian landings. The project, led by Davis Adams, validated communications and terrain mapping capabilities essential for future robotic missions. Tests occurred during a 3-minute flight near Rogers Dry Lake, marking a critical step toward commercial lunar lander integration.

Key points

• The SPLICE guidance system successfully communicated with an Alta-X drone during hover maneuvers at Edwards Air Force Base in July 2026.
• The flight tested terrain mapping and hazard avoidance capabilities critical for future robotic lunar and Martian landings.

Context

This flight test represents a culmination of nearly a decade of development for the SPLICE project, which partners with commercial lunar lander providers to implement autonomous navigation systems. The technology readiness level has been validated for terrestrial, lunar, and Martian descent missions.

Limitations

The evidence covers only one specific flight test in July 2026 at Edwards Air Force Base. The full-scale test at Voyager Technologies in Mojave is scheduled for later this month, and the system's integration into NASA software catalog is planned for fall 2026.

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