• DATA
  • INSIGHT
  • REPORT
  • HUMAN

How to analyze satellite imagery with your AI

Connect NASA data to your agent. Once linked, you can pull specific planetary or terrestrial images using coordinates or mission data.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I use my AI to look at satellite photos?

Your AI uses NASA tools to fetch Earth, Mars, or EPIC imagery based on the coordinates or rover data you provide. It then processes these images to answer your specific questions about surface features or planetary conditions.

The results

Where your analysis lands

The AI handles the data retrieval and processing, leaving you with the final insights.

DATA

Raw imagery retrieval

The AI pulls specific files from NASA databases using your provided coordinates. You get the exact visual data needed for your study.

INSIGHT

Visual feature identification

Your agent examines the pixels to find craters, terrain changes, or cloud patterns. It translates visual data into text descriptions.

REPORT

Structured data summaries

The AI organizes findings into lists or descriptions. This makes it easy to compare different timeframes or locations.

HUMAN

Expert verification

The AI provides the analysis, but you must review the findings against the original imagery. You make the final call on any scientific conclusions.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI acts as the bridge between your prompts and NASA's image repositories.

  1. Locate imagery

    The agent finds the right files by matching your coordinates or mission parameters to available Earth or Mars datasets.

    get_earth_imageryget_mars_photos

  2. Fetch orbital views

    For specific Earth observations, the agent pulls high-resolution imagery from the EPIC instrument.

    get_epic_images

  3. Visual processing

    Once the images are retrieved, your agent analyzes the visual content to identify specific surface features or atmospheric patterns.

    get_earth_imagery

  4. Synthesize findings

    The agent compiles the visual data into a coherent response that answers your specific research question.

    get_mars_photos

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the NASA tools.

Starting points

Swap the bracketed text for your specific latitude, longitude, or rover mission names.

NASA Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CSNxsnzKlImzm012O4oE0kbi1oTSVq815mcFt4a2/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — NASA capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nasa-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_CSNxsnzKlImzm012O4oE0kbi1oTSVq815mcFt4a2/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Get Earth imagery for the coordinates [insert lat/long] and describe the terrain.

  • Find Mars photos from the [insert rover name] mission and look for signs of water erosion.

  • Retrieve EPIC images for [insert date] and summarize the cloud cover patterns.

  • Compare the surface features at [insert coordinates] using available Earth imagery.

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Start here

Connect NASA once, then ask.

One click connects the NASA MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted and secure on our side.

Connect NASA to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI download the images to my hard drive?

    No. The AI retrieves the imagery to analyze it within the chat, but it does not manage your local file system.

  • 02

    Can I use this to control a rover in real time?

    No. This MCP is for retrieving existing photos and data, not for sending commands to active spacecraft.

  • 03

    Does it work with any coordinate?

    It works with any coordinates for which NASA has existing imagery in the Earth or Mars datasets.

  • 04

    Can the AI edit the photos?

    No. The tools only allow for retrieving and reading imagery. The AI cannot modify the original files.

  • 05

    How does it know which rover to use?

    You must specify the rover or mission in your prompt so the agent knows which dataset to query.

  • More questions about NASA? The Connector page answers them. See everything the NASA Connector can do

Connect NASA to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more