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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 "Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility"

121 results found - Page 1 of 6

NASA image: NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory has become the first science aircraft to be based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Image
Nov 8, 2007

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory has become the first science aircraft to be based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory has become the first science aircraft to be based at the Dryden Aircraft...

AFRC
NASA image: An aircraft tug tows NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP into Hangar 703 upon arrival at its base, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, CA.
Image
Jan 15, 2008

An aircraft tug tows NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP into Hangar 703 upon arrival at its base, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, CA.

An aircraft tug tows NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP into Hangar 703 upon arrival at its base, the Dryden...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's SOFIA flying infrared observatory banks over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility upon arrival at its new base of operations on Jan. 15, 2008.
Image
Jan 15, 2008

NASA's SOFIA flying infrared observatory banks over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility upon arrival at its new base of operations on Jan. 15, 2008.

NASA's SOFIA flying infrared observatory banks over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility upon arrival at its new...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Image
Nov 8, 2007

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Image
Nov 8, 2007

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival November 8
Image
Nov 8, 2007

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival November 8

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42...

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NASA image: Two large science aircraft, a DC-8 flying laboratory and the SOFIA 747SP, are based at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Image
Jan 17, 2008

Two large science aircraft, a DC-8 flying laboratory and the SOFIA 747SP, are based at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

Two large science aircraft, a DC-8 flying laboratory and the SOFIA 747SP, are based at NASA's Dryden Aircraft...

AFRC
NASA image: The Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is now home to two large science aircraft, NASA's SOFIA observatory and a DC-8 science laboratory
Image
Jan 17, 2008

The Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is now home to two large science aircraft, NASA's SOFIA observatory and a DC-8 science laboratory

The Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is now home to two large science aircraft, NASA's SOFIA...

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NASA image: ED08-0292-2
Image
Nov 7, 2008

ED08-0292-2

Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility - aircraft fleet on ramp

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif
Image
Jan 15, 2008

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 during a flyby at its new home, the Dryden...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory touches down at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA, as it arrives at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility
Image
Jan 15, 2008

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory touches down at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA, as it arrives at its new home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility

NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory touches down at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., as it arrives at its new...

AFRC
NASA image: The cavernous expanse of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., now houses NASA's DC-8 science laboratory and SOFIA infrared observatory
Image
Jan 17, 2008

The cavernous expanse of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., now houses NASA's DC-8 science laboratory and SOFIA infrared observatory

The cavernous expanse of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., now houses NASA's DC-8 science...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA'S SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP (front) and DC-8 flying laboratory (rear) are now housed at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Image
Jan 17, 2008

NASA'S SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP (front) and DC-8 flying laboratory (rear) are now housed at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

NASA'S SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP (front) and DC-8 flying laboratory (rear) are now housed at the Dryden...

AFRC
NASA image: SOFIA's primary mirror assembly is cradled on its dolly as technicians prepare to move it into a "clean room" at NASA Dryden's Aircraft Operations Facility
Image
Apr 18, 2008

SOFIA's primary mirror assembly is cradled on its dolly as technicians prepare to move it into a "clean room" at NASA Dryden's Aircraft Operations Facility

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary...

AFRC
NASA image: Wispy clouds are illuminated by a bright quarter moon behind the tail of NASA's SOFIA flying observatory during telescope characterization testing in 2008
Image
Mar 10, 2008

Wispy clouds are illuminated by a bright quarter moon behind the tail of NASA's SOFIA flying observatory during telescope characterization testing in 2008

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

AFRC
NASA image: NASA's SOFIA flying observatory was captured in striking relief during nighttime telescope characterization tests in Palmdale, Calif., in March 2008
Image
Mar 10, 2008

NASA's SOFIA flying observatory was captured in striking relief during nighttime telescope characterization tests in Palmdale, Calif., in March 2008

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

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NASA image: This backlit photo of SOFIA's infrared telescope during characterization testing shows the cell-like construction of the telescope's 2.5-meter primary mirror
Image
Mar 10, 2008

This backlit photo of SOFIA's infrared telescope during characterization testing shows the cell-like construction of the telescope's 2.5-meter primary mirror

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

AFRC
NASA image: As SOFIA's large telescope assembly slowly rotates, scientists and telescope operators review data readouts and imagery on their monitors during tracking tests
Image
Mar 10, 2008

As SOFIA's large telescope assembly slowly rotates, scientists and telescope operators review data readouts and imagery on their monitors during tracking tests

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

AFRC
NASA image: The 2.5-meter infrared telescope in the rear fuselage of NASA's SOFIA flying observatory tracked the star Polaris during characterization tests in March 2008
Image
Mar 10, 2008

The 2.5-meter infrared telescope in the rear fuselage of NASA's SOFIA flying observatory tracked the star Polaris during characterization tests in March 2008

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

AFRC
NASA image: Scientists and telescope operators focus on data readouts set up inside NASA's SOFIA airborne observatory during telescope characterization tracking tests
Image
Mar 10, 2008

Scientists and telescope operators focus on data readouts set up inside NASA's SOFIA airborne observatory during telescope characterization tracking tests

The SOFIA telescope team collected baseline operational measurements during several nights of characterization...

AFRC
NASA image: Dryden People
Image
Oct 22, 2008

Dryden People

To support NASA's 50th Anniversary, NASA government and contractor employees gathered to form a giant "D" outside...

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NASA image: Ground crewmen shove the more than two-ton SOFIA primary mirror assembly in its transport crate into a C-17's cavernous cargo bay for shipment to NASA Ames
Image
May 1, 2008

Ground crewmen shove the more than two-ton SOFIA primary mirror assembly in its transport crate into a C-17's cavernous cargo bay for shipment to NASA Ames

Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary...

AFRC
NASA image: Technicians position the transport cradle as a crane lowers SOFIA's primary mirror assembly into place prior to finish coating of the mirror at NASA Ames
Image
Apr 18, 2008

Technicians position the transport cradle as a crane lowers SOFIA's primary mirror assembly into place prior to finish coating of the mirror at NASA Ames

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary...

AFRC
NASA image: Technicians with ropes carefully guide the primary mirror assembly as a crane slowly moves it toward its transport cradle after removal from the SOFIA aircraft
Image
Apr 18, 2008

Technicians with ropes carefully guide the primary mirror assembly as a crane slowly moves it toward its transport cradle after removal from the SOFIA aircraft

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary...

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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