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A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for NASA APIs, providing a standardized interface for AI models to interact with NASA's vast array of data sources.

74 stars TypeScriptAI & Machine Learning Updated Oct 27, 2025

Documentation

NPM Version

NASA MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for NASA APIs, providing a standardized interface for AI models to interact with NASA's vast array of data sources. This server implements the official Model Context Protocol specification.

Big thanks to the MCP community for their support and guidance!

Features

  • Access to 20+ NASA data sources through a single, consistent interface
  • Standardized data formats optimized for AI consumption
  • Automatic parameter validation and error handling
  • Rate limit management for NASA API keys
  • Comprehensive documentation and examples
  • Support for various NASA imagery formats
  • Data conversion and formatting for LLM compatibility
  • Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Disclaimer

This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or related to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. It is an independent implementation that accesses NASA's publicly available APIs. All NASA data used is publicly available and subject to NASA's data usage policies.

Installation

Running with npx

bash
env NASA_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY npx -y @programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server@latest

You can also pass the API key as a command line argument:

bash
npx -y @programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server@latest --nasa-api-key=YOUR_API_KEY

Manual Installation

bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ProgramComputer/NASA-MCP-server.git

# Install dependencies
cd NASA-MCP-server
npm install

# Run with your API key
NASA_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY npm start

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your NASA API key from .

Environment Variables

The server can be configured with the following environment variables:

VariableDescription
`NASA_API_KEY`Your NASA API key (get at api.nasa.gov)
`MCP_TRANSPORT`Transport mode: `stdio` (default) or `http` for Streamable HTTP
`MCP_HTTP_HOST`Host for Streamable HTTP mode (default: `127.0.0.1`)
`MCP_HTTP_PORT`Port for Streamable HTTP mode (default: `3000`)
`MCP_HTTP_PATH`MCP endpoint path for Streamable HTTP mode (default: `/mcp`)

Transport Modes

By default, the server runs over stdio for local MCP clients such as Cursor and Claude Desktop.

To run the optional Streamable HTTP transport:

bash
MCP_TRANSPORT=http MCP_HTTP_PORT=3000 NASA_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY npm start

The Streamable HTTP endpoint will be available at:

text
http://127.0.0.1:3000/mcp

Included NASA APIs

This MCP server integrates the following NASA APIs:

1. NASA Open API (api.nasa.gov):

    2. JPL Solar System Dynamics API (ssd-api.jpl.nasa.gov):

      3. Earth Data APIs:

        API Methods

        Each NASA API is exposed through standardized MCP methods:

        APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)

        json
        {
  "method": "nasa/apod",
  "params": {
    "date": "2023-01-01", // Optional: YYYY-MM-DD format
    "count": 5, // Optional: Return a specified number of random images
    "thumbs": true // Optional: Return URL of video thumbnail
  }
}

        Mars Rover Photos

        json
        {
  "method": "nasa/mars-rover",
  "params": {
    "rover": "curiosity", // Required: "curiosity", "opportunity", or "spirit"
    "sol": 1000, // Either sol or earth_date is required
    "earth_date": "2023-01-01", // YYYY-MM-DD format
    "camera": "FHAZ" // Optional: Filter by camera type
  }
}

        Near Earth Objects

        json
        {
  "method": "nasa/neo",
  "params": {
    "start_date": "2023-01-01", // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format
    "end_date": "2023-01-07" // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format (max 7 days from start)
  }
}

        GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services)

        json
        {
  "method": "nasa/gibs",
  "params": {
    "layer": "MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor", // Required: Layer ID
    "date": "2023-01-01", // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format
    "format": "png" // Optional: "png" or "jpg"
  }
}

        POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources)

        json
        {
  "method": "nasa/power",
  "params": {
    "parameters": "T2M,PRECTOTCORR,WS10M", // Required: Comma-separated list
    "community": "re", // Required: Community identifier
    "latitude": 40.7128, // Required: Latitude
    "longitude": -74.0060, // Required: Longitude
    "start": "20220101", // Required: Start date (YYYYMMDD)
    "end": "20220107" // Required: End date (YYYYMMDD)
  }
}

        For complete documentation of all available methods and parameters, see the API reference in the `/docs` directory.

        Logging System

        The server includes comprehensive logging:

        • Operation status and progress
        • Performance metrics
        • Rate limit tracking
        • Error conditions
        • Request validation

        Example log messages:

        code
        [INFO] NASA MCP Server initialized successfully
[INFO] Processing APOD request for date: 2023-01-01
[INFO] Fetching Mars Rover data for Curiosity, sol 1000
[WARNING] Rate limit threshold reached (80%)
[ERROR] Invalid parameter: 'date' must be in YYYY-MM-DD format

        Security Considerations

        This MCP server implements security best practices following the Model Context Protocol specifications:

        • Input validation and sanitization using Zod schemas
        • No execution of arbitrary code
        • Protection against command injection
        • Proper error handling to prevent information leakage
        • Rate limiting and timeout controls for API requests
        • No persistent state that could be exploited across sessions

        Development

        bash
        # Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ProgramComputer/NASA-MCP-server.git

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Copy the example environment file and update with your API keys
cp .env.example .env

# Build the TypeScript code
npm run build

# Start the development server
npm run dev

# Run tests
npm test

        Testing with MCP Inspector

        The NASA MCP Server includes a script to help you test the APIs using the MCP Inspector:

        bash
        # Run the provided test script
./scripts/test-with-inspector.sh

        This will:

        1. Build the project to ensure the latest changes are included

        2. Start the MCP Inspector with the NASA MCP server running

        3. Allow you to interactively test all the NASA APIs

        Example Test Requests

        The repository includes example test requests for each API that you can copy and paste into the MCP Inspector:

        bash
        # View the example test requests
cat docs/inspector-test-examples.md

        For detailed examples, see the Inspector Test Examples document.

        MCP Client Usage

        This server follows the official Model Context Protocol. For local clients, use the default stdio configuration shown above. For Streamable HTTP mode, start the server with `MCP_TRANSPORT=http`, then connect with the MCP SDK:

        typescript
        import { Client } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js";
import { StreamableHTTPClientTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/streamableHttp.js";
import { CallToolResultSchema } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/types.js";

const transport = new StreamableHTTPClientTransport(
  new URL("http://127.0.0.1:3000/mcp")
);

const client = new Client({
  name: "mcp-client",
  version: "1.0.0",
});

await client.connect(transport);

// Example: Get today's Astronomy Picture of the Day
const apodResult = await client.request({
  method: "tools/call",
  params: {
    name: "nasa/apod",
    arguments: {}
  }
}, CallToolResultSchema);

// Example: Get Mars Rover photos
const marsRoverResult = await client.request({
  method: "tools/call",
  params: {
    name: "nasa/mars-rover",
    arguments: { rover: "curiosity", sol: 1000 }
  }
}, CallToolResultSchema);

// Example: Search for Near Earth Objects
const neoResults = await client.request({
  method: "tools/call",
  params: {
    name: "nasa/neo",
    arguments: {
      start_date: "2023-01-01",
      end_date: "2023-01-07"
    }
  }
}, CallToolResultSchema);

// Example: Get satellite imagery from GIBS
const satelliteImage = await client.request({
  method: "tools/call",
  params: {
    name: "nasa/gibs",
    arguments: {
      layer: "MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor",
      date: "2023-01-01"
    }
  }
}, CallToolResultSchema);

// Example: Use the new POWER API
const powerData = await client.request({
  method: "tools/call",
  params: {
    name: "nasa/power",
    arguments: {
      parameters: "T2M,PRECTOTCORR,WS10M",
      community: "re",
      latitude: 40.7128,
      longitude: -74.0060,
      start: "20220101",
      end: "20220107"
    }
  }
}, CallToolResultSchema);

        Contributing

        1. Fork the repository

        2. Create your feature branch

        3. Run tests: `npm test`

        4. Submit a pull request

        License

        ISC License - see LICENSE file for details

        Frequently asked questions

        What is nasa-mcp-server?

        nasa-mcp-server is A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for NASA APIs, providing a standardized interface for AI models to interact with NASA's vast array of data sources.

        How do I install nasa-mcp-server?

        Open the GitHub repository and follow its README. Most MCP servers are added to your client's MCP config, then called by your agent.

        Is nasa-mcp-server open source?

        Yes — it is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/ProgramComputer/NASA-MCP-server and has 74 stars.

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