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This website is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with NASA or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. All NASA imagery is in the public domain unless otherwise noted. Data sourced from NASA Open APIs, Launch Library 2, and other open data services.

NASA Gallery

Explore NASA's vast collection of space images, videos, and audio from missions past and present.

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NASA's Image and Video Library: A Visual Archive of Space Exploration

NASA's Image and Video Library is one of the most comprehensive public archives of space imagery in the world, containing over 140,000 images, videos, and audio recordings spanning more than six decades of space exploration. From the earliest Mercury and Gemini missions through the Apollo Moon landings, the Space Shuttle era, and today's cutting-edge observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, this collection documents humanity's journey into the cosmos.

The library includes imagery from diverse sources: telescopes like Hubble and Webb that capture deep-space nebulae, galaxies, and exoplanets; planetary missions like the Mars rovers ( browse Mars photos) and Cassini at Saturn; Earth observation satellites ( see EPIC imagery); astronaut photography from the ISS; and documentation of rocket launches, spacecraft assembly, and ground testing. Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to download at full resolution for educational, editorial, and personal use.

Use the search bar above to find specific subjects — try queries like "Apollo 11," "Hubble Deep Field," "Mars surface," or "astronaut EVA." You can also filter by media type (image, video, or audio). For a daily curated experience, visit the Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Showing results for "Contrails"

112 results found - Page 1 of 5

NASA image: Contrails in the North Atlantic
Image
Dec 8, 2017

Contrails in the North Atlantic

High-altitude aircraft leave behind condensation trails, or contrails, which form when extra water vapor is injected...

GSFC
NASA image: Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight
Image
Nov 6, 2018

Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight

A contrail of the NASA F/A-18 research aircraft is seen off the coast of Galveston, performing the quiet supersonic...

AFRC
NASA image: Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight
Image
Nov 6, 2018

Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight

A contrail of the NASA F/A-18 research aircraft is seen off the coast of Galveston, performing the quiet supersonic...

AFRC
NASA image: Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight
Image
Nov 6, 2018

Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight

A contrail of the NASA F/A-18 research aircraft is seen off the coast of Galveston, performing the quiet supersonic...

AFRC
NASA image: Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight
Image
Nov 6, 2018

Contrail of NASA F/A-18 Seen Off Coast During QSF18 Flight

A contrail of the NASA F/A-18 research aircraft is seen off the coast of Galveston, performing the quiet supersonic...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA DC-8 ecoDemonstrator Video File Interview Soundbytes
Video
Oct 27, 2023

NASA DC-8 ecoDemonstrator Video File Interview Soundbytes

Subject Matter Expert Interview Soundbytes. NASA joined with partners in October to generate critical new data on...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA DC-8 ecoDemonstrator Video File BROLL
Video
Oct 27, 2023

NASA DC-8 ecoDemonstrator Video File BROLL

NASA joined with partners in October to generate critical new data on sustainable aviation fuel through Boeing’s...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA Armstrong’s DC-8 Aircraft Upload for EcoDemonstrator 2023
Video
Oct 27, 2023

NASA Armstrong’s DC-8 Aircraft Upload for EcoDemonstrator 2023

NASA joined partners in October 2023 to generate critical new data on sustainable aviation fuel through Boeing’s...

AFRC
NASA image: Southern Appalachia, USA
Image
Apr 29, 1990

Southern Appalachia, USA

In this oblique view of the Georgia and South Carolina coast, the southern most Appalachians (32.0N, 83.0W) dominate...

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observation
Image
Jul 15, 2014

Earth Observation

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Contrail visible.

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observation
Image
Jul 15, 2014

Earth Observation

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Outline of a plane...

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observation
Image
Jul 21, 2014

Earth Observation

Earth Observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS)....

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observation
Image
Jun 7, 2014

Earth Observation

Earth Observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS)....

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observation
Image
Jun 7, 2014

Earth Observation

Earth Observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS)....

JSC
NASA image: Contrails over Lisbon, Portugal
Image
Sep 5, 2008

Contrails over Lisbon, Portugal

This image from NASA EarthKAM shows Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The superb natural harbor at Lisbon is a...

JPL
NASA image: Earth Observations taken by Expedition 34 crewmember.
Image
Dec 19, 2012

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 34 crewmember.

ISS034-E-009486 (19 Dec. 2012) --- Though somewhat faint, the contrails from the launch of the Expedition 34/35 crew...

JSC
NASA image: Earth observation taken by Expedition 59 crew
Image
May 3, 2019

Earth observation taken by Expedition 59 crew

iss059e042046 (May 3, 2019) --- 258 miles above the North Atlantic Ocean an Expedition 59 crewmember photographed...

JSC
NASA image: Earth Observations taken during Expedition Four
Image
May 15, 2002

Earth Observations taken during Expedition Four

ISS004-E-11807 (15 May 2002) --- This digital photograph, taken through the windows of the International Space...

JSC
NASA image: Crew Earth Observations (CEO) taken during Expedition 8
Image
Nov 30, 2003

Crew Earth Observations (CEO) taken during Expedition 8

ISS008-E-06565 (30 November 2003) --- This view featuring the Lake Michigan area was photographed by an Expedition 8...

JSC
NASA image: Space Shuttle Projects
Image
Nov 7, 1988

Space Shuttle Projects

The STS-28 insignia was designed by the astronaut crew, who said it portrays the pride the American people have in...

MSFC
NASA image: LIFTOFF - GEMINI-TITAN (GT)-8 - ATLAS/AGENA - CAPE
Image
Mar 16, 1966

LIFTOFF - GEMINI-TITAN (GT)-8 - ATLAS/AGENA - CAPE

S66-24482 (16 March 1966) --- An Agena Target Docking Vehicle atop an Atlas rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 14...

JSC
NASA image: Oblique view of cloud patterns over Pacific Ocean
Image
Jul 16, 1975

Oblique view of cloud patterns over Pacific Ocean

AST-01-042 (16 July 1975) --- An oblique view of unique cloud patterns over the Pacific Ocean caused by aircraft...

JSC
NASA image: ULA Atlas V DoD STP-3 Launch
Image
Dec 7, 2021

ULA Atlas V DoD STP-3 Launch

Contrails are seen illuminated in the sky as the Sun begins to rise following the launch of a United Launch Alliance...

HQ
NASA image: KSC-08pd0210
Image
Feb 7, 2008

KSC-08pd0210

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Guests at the VIP viewing site on the Banana River at NASA's Kennedy Space Center...

KSC
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Frequently Asked Questions About NASA Images

Are NASA images free to use?+
Yes, most NASA images are in the public domain and are free to use for educational, informational, and personal purposes. NASA's media usage guidelines state that NASA material is not copyrighted unless otherwise noted. However, the NASA logo and certain insignia are protected. Some images may include identifiable individuals or third-party content that requires additional permissions. Always check the specific image's usage rights and credit NASA as the source.
How many images does NASA have?+
NASA's Image and Video Library contains over 140,000 publicly accessible images, videos, and audio files spanning the agency's entire history, from the Mercury program of the 1960s to the latest James Webb Space Telescope discoveries. The collection grows daily as new missions capture imagery and archival materials are digitized. Individual mission archives, such as Mars rover photos, contain hundreds of thousands of additional images.
Can I download NASA images?+
Yes, you can download NASA images in multiple resolutions directly from this gallery. Each image detail page provides download links for original (full resolution), large (1920px), medium (960px), small (480px), and thumbnail sizes. NASA encourages the public to use these images for education, media, and personal projects. High-resolution originals are ideal for printing and professional use.

Explore More NASA Content

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Daily curated space image

Mars Rover Photos

Curiosity & Perseverance images

Earth from Space

DSCOVR EPIC daily images

Launch Schedule

Upcoming rocket launches

Space News

Mission updates & discoveries