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NASA MCP Server

by ProgramComputer
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TypeScript
ISC License
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remote-capable server

The server can be hosted and run remotely because it primarily relies on remote services or has no dependency on the local environment.

Integrations

  • Provides access to 20+ NASA data sources including APOD, Mars Rover Photos, EPIC, DONKI, NEO, EONET, TLE, JPL Solar System Dynamics, Earth Data APIs, and POWER, allowing AI models to retrieve and process space imagery, celestial object data, and Earth observation information through a standardized interface.

  • Implements input validation and sanitization for NASA API requests using Zod schemas to ensure proper formatting and security.

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

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

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

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

Using SuperGateway for Server-Sent Events (SSE)

You can use SuperGateway for Server-Sent Events (SSE).

The developers of NASA-MCP-server DO NOT ENDORSE the SuperGateway repository. This information is provided for those who wish to implement SSE functionality at their own discretion.

Manual Installation

# 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

Running on Cursor

Configuring Cursor 🖥️ Note: Requires Cursor version 0.45.6+

To configure NASA MCP Server in Cursor:

Create or edit an mcp.json file in your Cursor configuration directory with the following content:

{ "mcpServers": { "nasa-mcp": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server"], "env": { "NASA_API_KEY": "your-api-key" } } } }

Replace your-api-key with your NASA API key from https://api.nasa.gov/.

After adding the configuration, restart Cursor to see the new NASA tools. The Composer Agent will automatically use NASA MCP when appropriate for space-related queries.

Environment Variables

The server can be configured with the following environment variables:

VariableDescriptionDefault
NASA_API_KEYYour NASA API key (get at api.nasa.gov)DEMO_KEY (limited usage)
PORTPort to run the server on3000
LOG_LEVELLogging level (debug, info, warn, error)info
CACHE_DURATIONCache duration in seconds3600 (1 hour)
RATE_LIMITMaximum requests per hourBased on API key

Included NASA APIs

This MCP server integrates the following NASA APIs:

  1. NASA Open API (api.nasa.gov):
    • APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)
    • EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera)
    • DONKI (Space Weather Database Of Notifications, Knowledge, Information)
    • Insight (Mars Weather Service)
    • Mars Rover Photos
    • NEO (Near Earth Object Web Service)
    • EONET (Earth Observatory Natural Event Tracker)
    • TLE (Two-Line Element)
    • NASA Image and Video Library
    • Exoplanet Archive
    • NASA Sounds API (Beta)
    • POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources)
  2. JPL Solar System Dynamics API (ssd-api.jpl.nasa.gov):
    • SBDB (Small-Body DataBase)
    • SBDB Close-Approach Data
    • Fireball Data
    • Scout API
  3. Earth Data APIs:
    • GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services)
    • CMR (Common Metadata Repository) - Enhanced with advanced search capabilities
    • EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera)
    • FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System)

API Methods

Each NASA API is exposed through standardized MCP methods:

APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)

{ "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

{ "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

{ "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)

{ "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)

{ "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:

[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

# 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:

# 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:

# 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. Here's an example of how to use it with the MCP SDK:

import { Client } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js"; import { HttpClientTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/http.js"; const transport = new HttpClientTransport({ url: "http://localhost:3000", }); 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: "nasa/apod", params: {} }); // Example: Get Mars Rover photos const marsRoverResult = await client.request({ method: "nasa/mars-rover", params: { rover: "curiosity", sol: 1000 } }); // Example: Search for Near Earth Objects const neoResults = await client.request({ method: "nasa/neo", params: { start_date: '2023-01-01', end_date: '2023-01-07' } }); // Example: Get satellite imagery from GIBS const satelliteImage = await client.request({ method: "nasa/gibs", params: { layer: 'MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor', date: '2023-01-01' } }); // Example: Use the new POWER API const powerData = await client.request({ method: "nasa/power", params: { parameters: "T2M,PRECTOTCORR,WS10M", community: "re", latitude: 40.7128, longitude: -74.0060, start: "20220101", end: "20220107" } });

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

This server cannot be installed

-
security - not tested
A
license - permissive license
-
quality - not tested

A Model Context Protocol server that provides a standardized interface for AI models to interact with NASA's vast array of data sources including APOD, Mars Rover photos, satellite imagery, and space weather data.

  1. Features
    1. Disclaimer
      1. Installation
        1. Running with npx
        2. Using SuperGateway for Server-Sent Events (SSE)
        3. Manual Installation
        4. Running on Cursor
      2. Environment Variables
        1. Included NASA APIs
          1. API Methods
            1. APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)
            2. Mars Rover Photos
            3. Near Earth Objects
            4. GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services)
            5. POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources)
          2. Logging System
            1. Security Considerations
              1. Development
                1. Testing with MCP Inspector
                  1. Example Test Requests
                2. MCP Client Usage
                  1. Contributing
                    1. License