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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 "thermal protection system"

1,583 results found - Page 9 of 66

NASA image: Labeled cutaway line drawing of Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)
Image
May 21, 1991

Labeled cutaway line drawing of Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)

Labeled cutaway line drawing of the Shuttle extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) identifies its various components and...

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NASA image: KSC-03pd0262
Image
Feb 4, 2003

KSC-03pd0262

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- United Space Alliance (USA) technicians install thermal protection system tiles on...

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NASA image: Mapping sequence performed during the STS-114 R-Bar Pitch Maneuver.
Image
Jul 28, 2005

Mapping sequence performed during the STS-114 R-Bar Pitch Maneuver.

ISS011-E-11048 (28 July 2005) --- The crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Discovery was photographed by the crewmembers...

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NASA image: The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE): jsc2021e031158
Image
Jul 22, 2021

The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE): jsc2021e031158

jsc2021e031158 (7/22/2021) --- A preflight view of the heat-shield on the KREPE Capsule. The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe...

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NASA image: The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE): jsc2021e031157
Image
Jul 22, 2021

The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE): jsc2021e031157

jsc2021e031157 (7/22/2021) --- A view of the KREP Ecapsule model. The Kentucky Re-Entry Probe Experiment (KREPE)...

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NASA image: STS-135 crew during Ingress/Egress Timeline training in building 9NW space station mockups
Image
Apr 29, 2011

STS-135 crew during Ingress/Egress Timeline training in building 9NW space station mockups

JSC2011-E-043875 (29 April 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an EVA...

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NASA image: ARC-2006-ACD06-0145-065
Image
Mar 23, 2006

ARC-2006-ACD06-0145-065

CEV TPS Advanced Develpment Project IHF-171 testing TSF photos (Crew Escape Vehicle Thermal Protection System)...

ARC
NASA image: KSC-04pd-2588
Image
Dec 13, 2004

KSC-04pd-2588

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a visit to Kennedy, STS-114 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas looks at the tiles,...

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NASA image: KSC-06pd1448
Image
Jul 4, 2006

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121 on July 4, a camera...

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NASA image: Around Marshall
Image
Sep 19, 1988

Around Marshall

Marshall's fifth Center Director, James R. Thompson (1986-1989), in the control room of the Solid Rocket Booster...

MSFC
NASA image: MEDLI2 Onboard Mars 2020 Spacecraft
Image
Oct 22, 2020

MEDLI2 Onboard Mars 2020 Spacecraft

MEDLI2 sensors are installed on the Mars 2020 heat shield and back shell prior to launch. The sensors will measure...

JPL
NASA image: Modifications made to a hacksaw for use on EVA 3
Image
Aug 2, 2005

Modifications made to a hacksaw for use on EVA 3

S114-E-6034 (2 August 2005) --- This image taken aboard the Shuttle Discovery shows the modifications the crew has...

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NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the high bay clean room at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facilities near KSC, workers get ready to remove the protective cover from NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft. Employees of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, builders of the spacecraft, will perform an initial state-of-health check. Then processing for launch can begin, including checkout of the power systems, communications systems and control systems. The thermal blankets will also be attached for flight. MESSENGER - short for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging - will be launched May 11 on a six-year mission aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 2:26 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 11.
Image
Mar 10, 2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the high bay clean room at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facilities near KSC, workers get ready to remove the protective cover from NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft. Employees of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, builders of the spacecraft, will perform an initial state-of-health check. Then processing for launch can begin, including checkout of the power systems, communications systems and control systems. The thermal blankets will also be attached for flight. MESSENGER - short for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging - will be launched May 11 on a six-year mission aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 2:26 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 11.

NASA image: KSC-2012-1576
Image
Mar 1, 2012

KSC-2012-1576

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The heat shield tiles that will be installed to the backshell of the Orion Multi-Purpose...

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NASA image: KSC-2012-1575
Image
Mar 1, 2012

KSC-2012-1575

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The heat shield tiles that will be installed to the backshell of the Orion Multi-Purpose...

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NASA image: KSC-03pd3258
Image
Dec 19, 2003

KSC-03pd3258

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A United Space Alliance (USA) technician (left) discusses the construction of a...

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NASA image: KSC-2012-1587
Image
Mar 1, 2012

KSC-2012-1587

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The heat shield tiles that will be installed to the backshell of the Orion Multi-Purpose...

KSC
NASA image: KSC-2012-1598
Image
Mar 1, 2012

KSC-2012-1598

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- Tim Wright, a United Space Alliance engineering manager at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in...

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NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance, describes an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System for members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Handling some of the blanket insulation are Dr. Kathryn Clark and Joe Engle. Third from left is Richard Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, who is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
Image
Aug 6, 2003

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance, describes an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System for members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG). Handling some of the blanket insulation are Dr. Kathryn Clark and Joe Engle. Third from left is Richard Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, who is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance, describes an orbiter’s Thermal Protection...

NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Charles Camarda (left) watches as Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas manipulates equipment that will be used on the mission. Crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.
Image
Jan 27, 2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Charles Camarda (left) watches as Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas manipulates equipment that will be used on the mission. Crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.

NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Tile Shop, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) learn about PU-tiles, part of an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System. At left is Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance. Others (left to right) around the table are James Adamson, Dr. Kathryn Clark, William Wegner, Richard Covey and Joe Engle. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
Image
Aug 6, 2003

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Tile Shop, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group (SCTG) learn about PU-tiles, part of an orbiter’s Thermal Protection System. At left is Martin Wilson, with United Space Alliance. Others (left to right) around the table are James Adamson, Dr. Kathryn Clark, William Wegner, Richard Covey and Joe Engle. Covey, former Space Shuttle commander, is co-chair of the SCTG, along with Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo commander. Chartered by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, the task group will perform an independent assessment of NASA’s implementation of the final recommendations by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On a tour of the Tile Shop, members of the Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task Group...

NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence look over mission equipment in the Space Station Processing Facility. Crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.
Image
Jan 27, 2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence look over mission equipment in the Space Station Processing Facility. Crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.

NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), handles equipment that will be used on the mission. He and other crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.
Image
Jan 27, 2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), handles equipment that will be used on the mission. He and other crew members are at KSC for equipment familiarization. STS-114 is classified as Logistics Flight 1 to the International Space Station, delivering new supplies and replacing one of the orbital outpost’s Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs). STS-114 will also carry a Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and the External Stowage Platform-2. The crew is slated to conduct at least three spacewalks: They will demonstrate repair techniques of the Shuttle’s Thermal Protection System, replace the failed CMG with one delivered by the Shuttle, and install the External Stowage Platform.

NASA image: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. From left (in their blue suits) are Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Stephen Robinson, Charles Camarda, Andrew Thomas and Wendy Lawrence; Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot James Kelly. Noguchi represents the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. They are looking at the thermal protection system insulation blankets being installed on an insert for Discovery’s nose cap. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.
Image
Mar 5, 2004

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission equipment. From left (in their blue suits) are Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Stephen Robinson, Charles Camarda, Andrew Thomas and Wendy Lawrence; Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot James Kelly. Noguchi represents the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency. They are looking at the thermal protection system insulation blankets being installed on an insert for Discovery’s nose cap. The STS-114 mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment plus the external stowage platform to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Members of the STS-114 crew spend time becoming familiar with Shuttle and mission...

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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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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the high bay clean room at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facilities near...

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KSC

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Charles Camarda (left) watches as Mission Specialist Andrew...

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KSC

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence look over...

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - STS-114 Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi, with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration...

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