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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 "hypersonic research aircraft"

47 results found - Page 2 of 2

NASA image: he second X-43A and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean
Image
Mar 27, 2004

he second X-43A and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the third X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on November 16, 2004
Image
Nov 16, 2004

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the third X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on November 16, 2004

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, attached to a modified Pegasus booster rocket, was taken to launch...

AFRC
NASA image: This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the X-43A research vehicle alone after separation from the Pegasus booster. (LaRC Photo # EL-2000-00531)
Image
Sep 13, 2000

This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the X-43A research vehicle alone after separation from the Pegasus booster. (LaRC Photo # EL-2000-00531)

This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the X-43A research vehicle alone after separation from the...

AFRC
NASA image: This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the separation of the X-43A research vehicle from the Pegasus booster. (LaRC Photo # EL-2000-00532)
Image
Sep 13, 2000

This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the separation of the X-43A research vehicle from the Pegasus booster. (LaRC Photo # EL-2000-00532)

This image (captured from animation video) illustrates the separation of the X-43A research vehicle from the Pegasus...

AFRC
NASA image: Pegasus Mated to B-52 Mothership - First Flight
Image
Nov 9, 1989

Pegasus Mated to B-52 Mothership - First Flight

The Pegasus air-launched space booster is carried aloft under the right wing of NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft on its...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA B-52B Carries Pegasus Booster, X-43A Aircraft
Image
Jan 26, 2004

NASA B-52B Carries Pegasus Booster, X-43A Aircraft

Final preparations are underway for NASA’s B-52B to carry the Pegasus booster rocket and the hypersonic X-43A...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the second X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on March 27, 2004
Image
Mar 27, 2004

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the second X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on March 27, 2004

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, attached to a modified Pegasus booster rocket and followed by a chase...

AFRC
NASA image: A modified Pegasus rocket ignites moments after release from the B-52B, beginning the acceleration of the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004
Image
Mar 27, 2004

A modified Pegasus rocket ignites moments after release from the B-52B, beginning the acceleration of the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from...

AFRC
NASA image: This photo shows a head-on view of NASA's SR-71B on the ramp at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, shortly before delivery to DFRC
Image
Jul 24, 1991

This photo shows a head-on view of NASA's SR-71B on the ramp at the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, shortly before delivery to DFRC

This photo shows a head-on view of NASA's SR-71B, used for pilot proficiency and training, on the ramp at the Air...

AFRC
NASA image: Moments after release from NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft, the X-43A/Pegasus "stack" is seen before ignition of the Pegasus rocket motor on
Image
Jun 2, 2001

Moments after release from NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft, the X-43A/Pegasus "stack" is seen before ignition of the Pegasus rocket motor on

The first X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket were carried aloft by NASA's...

AFRC
NASA image: X-43A departs NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for first free-flight attempt
Image
Jun 2, 2001

X-43A departs NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for first free-flight attempt

The first X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket were carried aloft by NASA's...

AFRC
NASA image: Ignition of the Pegasus rocket moments after release from the B-52 signaled acceleration of the X-43A/Pegasus combination over the Pacific Ocean
Image
Jun 2, 2001

Ignition of the Pegasus rocket moments after release from the B-52 signaled acceleration of the X-43A/Pegasus combination over the Pacific Ocean

The first X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket were carried aloft by NASA's...

AFRC
NASA image: The X-43A/Pegasus combination dropped into the Pacific Ocean after losing control early in the first free-flight attempt
Image
Jun 2, 2001

The X-43A/Pegasus combination dropped into the Pacific Ocean after losing control early in the first free-flight attempt

The first X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket were carried aloft by NASA's...

AFRC
NASA image: Missile on Display at the 1957 NACA Lewis Inspection
Image
Oct 23, 1957

Missile on Display at the 1957 NACA Lewis Inspection

A researcher examines a model being installed in the test section of the 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel...

GRC
NASA image: NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle on a captive carry evaluation flight September 27, 2004
Image
Sep 27, 2004

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle on a captive carry evaluation flight September 27, 2004

Attached to the same B-52B mothership that once launched X-15 research aircraft in the 1960s, NASA's third X-43A...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle on a captive carry evaluation flight September 27, 2004
Image
Sep 27, 2004

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle on a captive carry evaluation flight September 27, 2004

Attached to the same B-52B mothership that once launched X-15 research aircraft in the 1960s, NASA's third X-43A...

AFRC
NASA image: Cracked canopy glass on right side of X-15 #2 after flt. 2-21-37 on Nov. 9 1961. Robert White-pilot. First flight to mach 6
Image
Nov 9, 1961

Cracked canopy glass on right side of X-15 #2 after flt. 2-21-37 on Nov. 9 1961. Robert White-pilot. First flight to mach 6

Cracked canopy glass on right side of X-15 #2 after flt. 2-21-37 on Nov. 9 1961. Robert White-pilot. First flight to...

AFRC
NASA image: Southwestern US, with Las Vegas, NV in foreground, taken by X-15 Hycon HR-236 Camera during flt. 2-39-70 on June 27, 1965
Image
Jun 27, 1965

Southwestern US, with Las Vegas, NV in foreground, taken by X-15 Hycon HR-236 Camera during flt. 2-39-70 on June 27, 1965

Southwestern US, with Las Vegas, NV in foreground, taken by X-15 Hycon HR-236 Camera during flt. 2-39-70 on June 27,...

AFRC
NASA image: Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15
Image
Jan 20, 1962

Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15

Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15.

AFRC
NASA image: Three view art of the North American X-15
Image
Apr 10, 1961

Three view art of the North American X-15

Three view art of the North American X-15.

AFRC
NASA image: X-15A-2 post flight photo showing heat damage from Mach 6.7 flight on 3 Oct 67. Flt. 2-53-97; pilot-Pete Knight
Image
Nov 4, 1967

X-15A-2 post flight photo showing heat damage from Mach 6.7 flight on 3 Oct 67. Flt. 2-53-97; pilot-Pete Knight

X-15A-2 post flight photo showing heat damage from Mach 6.7 flight on 3 Oct 67. Flt. 2-53-97; pilot-Pete Knight.

AFRC
NASA image: X-15 #2 landing accident at Mud Lake, Nevada on November 9, 1962 after flight 2-31-52
Image
Nov 9, 1962

X-15 #2 landing accident at Mud Lake, Nevada on November 9, 1962 after flight 2-31-52

NASA research pilot Jack McKay was injured in a crash landing of the X-15 #2 on November 9, 1962. Following the...

AFRC
NASA image: Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15
Image
Jan 20, 1962

Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15

Cutaway drawing of the North American X-15.

AFRC
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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.

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