# NASA MCP > NASA MCP connects your AI agent to NASA's massive collection of open APIs. Instantly pull everything from Earth satellite imagery and Mars rover photos to deep space images, asteroid tracking data, and technology patents—all through natural conversation. Stop navigating dozens of separate scientific websites; get the core space data you need instantly. ## Overview - **Category:** the-unthinkable - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** astronomy, space-exploration, satellite-imagery, planetary-science, mars-rover ## Description Connecting your AI agent to NASA means you can talk to the entire archive of global space science. Need today's Astronomy Picture of the Day? You just ask. Want to track asteroids passing Earth this week, or check out historical satellite views of a specific coordinate? It works the same way. This MCP lets you pull data from deep-space images, browse photos taken by rovers on Mars, and search through NASA's patent database—everything is unified under one chat interface. Instead of opening ten different browser tabs to compile research, your AI client handles the retrieval. With Vinkius hosting this catalog, you get direct access to all these tools without needing developer credentials for every single endpoint. You simply ask your agent what data you need, and it pulls the images, metadata, and reports immediately. ## Tools ### get_apod Retrieves the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) image, title, and explanation for a specified or default date. ### get_epic_images Gets full-disk Earth images from NASA's Deep Space Camera (DSCOVR), allowing filtering by date and color type. ### get_earth_imagery Retrieves satellite imagery of Earth using Landsat 8, requiring latitude and longitude coordinates for a specific date. ### get_mars_photos Browses photos taken by Mars rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance, etc.) filtered by camera type, date, and rover name. ### get_mars_rovers Pulls metadata about all active NASA Mars rovers to see which ones are operational and when they last reported data. ### get_neo_feed Generates a feed of Near-Earth Objects (asteroids), listing their size, velocity, and potential hazard status over a date range. ### get_tech_transfer Searches NASA's technology transfer records to find scientific discoveries or patents available for commercial licensing. ### search_nasa_library Performs a free-text search across NASA's vast media repository of images, videos, and audio files. ### search_patents Conducts a targeted query against NASA's patent database to find titles, numbers, abstracts, and availability status. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Show me today's Astronomy Picture of the Day. ``` **Response:** ``` Today's APOD is 'Pillars of Creation Revisited' — a stunning new infrared image of the Eagle Nebula's iconic star-forming columns captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. The image reveals previously hidden protostars and dust structures. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Show me photos taken by the Perseverance rover on Mars. ``` **Response:** ``` I found 25 photos from Perseverance taken on 2024-01-15. Images include views of Jezero Crater using the NAVCAM, close-up rock analysis with MAHLI, and terrain mapping with RHAZ. Each photo includes the Sol number and Earth date. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Are there any potentially hazardous asteroids approaching Earth this week? ``` **Response:** ``` Over the next 7 days, NASA is tracking 18 near-Earth objects. 2 are classified as 'potentially hazardous'. The largest is approximately 340 meters in diameter (2024 AB1), passing at a safe distance of 4.2 lunar distances on Wednesday. No impact threats are known. ``` ## Capabilities ### View Earth's historical satellite views Retrieve Landsat 8 imagery or deep space EPIC photos for any specific geographic coordinate and date. ### Track planetary bodies and asteroids Get a feed of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), including size, velocity, and hazard ratings over time periods. ### Browse Mars rover photo archives Search through photos taken by rovers like Perseverance or Curiosity, filtering by date, camera type, and location. ### Analyze academic media assets Search NASA's massive image and video library using free text queries to find educational content. ### Research technology transfer Find information on patented technologies or scientific discoveries available for licensing purposes. ## Use Cases ### A university curriculum needs comparative imagery. The professor asks their agent: 'Compare the Landsat 8 view of this river basin from 2015 to today.' The MCP uses `get_earth_imagery` twice, providing two side-by-side views showing geographic changes over time. ### A planetary defense group needs risk assessment. The analyst asks: 'What asteroids are predicted within a 7-day window?' The agent uses `get_neo_feed`, providing the count, estimated diameter, and hazard classification for all relevant objects. ### A startup needs IP scouting. The founder asks: 'Find any NASA patents related to autonomous deep-sea exploration.' The agent calls `search_patents` and filters the results using keywords, showing licensing status immediately. ### A journalist is writing about space history. They ask for 'pictures of the Pillars of Creation and today's APOD.' The MCP uses both `get_apod` (for current data) and retrieves historical images, building a cohesive narrative. ## Benefits - You get immediate access to specialized imagery. Instead of visiting multiple sites, you can use the `get_earth_imagery` tool and immediately pull Landsat 8 satellite views for any coordinate on Earth. - Tracking planetary threats is simple. The `get_neo_feed` tool gives you a clear list of Near-Earth Objects, showing their estimated size and hazard rating without complex calculations. - Researching space technology used to be slow. Now, the `search_patents` and `get_tech_transfer` tools let you find commercially available patents or licensed technologies in minutes. - You stop hunting through file directories for media assets. The `search_nasa_library` tool lets you use natural language queries against NASA's entire image and video catalog. - Comparing rovers is easy. You can run the `get_mars_photos` tool, filtering by different cameras (MAHLI vs. NAVCAM) or specific dates to compare data sets instantly. ## How It Works The bottom line is you use conversation to access massive, complex scientific databases that used to require expert API knowledge. 1. Subscribe to the NASA MCP and provide your free API key. 2. Your AI client connects through Vinkius, making all of NASA's APIs available in a single chat context. 3. You instruct your agent with natural language (e.g., 'Show me Mars photos from 2018') and receive structured data or images. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I get Earth satellite imagery using the NASA MCP?** You use the `get_earth_imagery` tool. You must provide a specific longitude and latitude coordinate along with the desired date to pull Landsat 8 views. **Can I check for hazardous asteroids with get_neo_feed?** Yes, `get_neo_feed` tracks Near-Earth Objects. You specify a start and end date (up to seven days) and it returns data on size, velocity, and hazard status. **What is the best way to find space patents with search_patents?** Use `search_patents` and include specific keywords related to your field. The tool returns patent titles, numbers, abstracts, and whether they are available for licensing. **How many rovers can I check photos from with get_mars_photos?** You can filter by multiple camera types and specify the rover name. The tool aggregates data from Curiosity, Perseverance, Opportunity, and Spirit across various dates. **Does NASA MCP help me find general space pictures?** Yes, you use `search_nasa_library` with a free-text query to search the entire media collection of images, videos, and audio assets from NASA.