# NASA tests landing-navigation system on drone

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Topic: Science · Status: published · Version: 1
Published: 2026-11-04T19:16:45.526Z · Updated: 2026-11-04T19:16:45.526Z
Record: https://davids.news/s/nasa-tests-landing-navigation-system-on-drone-db119864

NASA says its SPLICE system mapped terrain and redirected an Alta-X drone toward a safer landing area during simulated lunar maneuvers.

- The Aug. 27 test took place at Rogers Dry Lake in California, NASA said.
- SPLICE generated elevation maps from sensor data and assessed potential landing areas, according to NASA.

Why it matters: NASA says the technology is designed to help spacecraft find safe landing sites on the Moon and other planets.

## Original sources

- [NASA](<https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasa-navigation-experiment-shows-promise-for-planetary-landings>) — primary announcement
  Source: Dede Dinius · NASA 2026 · Original report: 2026-11-04T16:52:43.000Z

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