This Aug. 27, 2026 image shows an Alta-X drone executing flights as part of the Safe and Precise Landing – Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) experiment near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Developed by researchers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, SPLICE recently completed successful simulations of lunar descent and landing maneuvers. The system combines advanced navigation, guidance, and onboard processing to enable safe, precise landings on the Moon, Mars, icy moons, and other challenging destinations — including remote and scientifically valuable regions that were previously difficult or impossible to reach.
Image credit: NASA/Ryan Kline
