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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 "Space Optic"

1,222 results found - Page 1 of 51

NASA image: New Space Telescope Optics to Find a New Earth
Image
Feb 5, 2013

New Space Telescope Optics to Find a New Earth

Next Generation PIAA mirrors were made by Tinsley and are inside the enclosure. Shows dummy set-up uning early PIAA...

ARC
NASA image: Testing Space Lasers for Deep Space Optical Communications (Mission Overview)
Video
Sep 29, 2023

Testing Space Lasers for Deep Space Optical Communications (Mission Overview)

How might lasers revolutionize deep space communications? NASA will test high-bandwidth laser (or optical)...

JPL
NASA image: Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker Installation
Image
Dec 26, 2017

Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker Installation

iss054e005568 (12-26-2017) --- View of the Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker installed in ExPRESS (Expedite the...

JSC
NASA image: DSOC's Flight Laser Transceiver
Image
Apr 6, 2022

DSOC's Flight Laser Transceiver

The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration's flight laser transceiver is shown at NASA's...

JPL
NASA image: Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker Installation
Image
Dec 26, 2017

Made In Space Fiber Optics Locker Installation

iss054e005575 (12-26-2017) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Norishige Kanai poses for a photo...

JSC
NASA image: DSOC Flight Laser Transceiver Integrated with NASA's Psyche Spacecraft
Image
Apr 6, 2022

DSOC Flight Laser Transceiver Integrated with NASA's Psyche Spacecraft

The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration's flight laser transceiver can be easily...

JPL
NASA image: Space Science
Image
Apr 20, 1999

Space Science

NASA's Space Optics Manufacturing Technology Center has been working to expand our view of the universe via...

MSFC
NASA image: Space Science
Image
Apr 20, 1999

Space Science

NASA's Space Optics Manufacturing Technology Center has been working to expand our view of the universe via...

MSFC
NASA image: Space Science
Image
Oct 1, 1997

Space Science

This king-size copper disk, manufactured at the Space Optics Manufacturing and Technology Center (SOMTC) at the...

MSFC
NASA image: NASA Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space Via Laser (Media Reel)
Video
Dec 18, 2023

NASA Tech Demo Streams First Video From Deep Space Via Laser (Media Reel)

B-roll for media and public use. NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment marked a historic...

JPL
NASA image: Space Radar Image of Long Island Optical/Radar
Image
May 1, 1999

Space Radar Image of Long Island Optical/Radar

This pair of images of the Long Island, New York region is a comparison of an optical photograph (top) and a radar...

JPL
NASA image: Research Technology
Image
Sep 16, 1998

Research Technology

A team of engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has designed, fabricated, and tested the first solar...

MSFC
NASA image: Psyche Mission and Deep Space Optical Communications Animations Media Reel
Video
Oct 10, 2023

Psyche Mission and Deep Space Optical Communications Animations Media Reel

Animation b-roll for media and public use. NASA’s Psyche mission, scheduled to launch in October 2023, is the first...

JPL
NASA image: Mastcam-Z Final Lens Cleaning
Image
Jan 19, 2021

Mastcam-Z Final Lens Cleaning

A JPL optical technician performs a final inspection and swab cleaning of the front optics of the Mars 2020...

JPL
NASA image: History of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Image
Jan 1, 1986

History of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

This image illustrates the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST's) Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA). One of the three major...

MSFC
NASA image: Space Science
Image
Apr 1, 2001

Space Science

In this photograph, Vince Huegele of the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC's) Space Optics Manufacturing...

MSFC
NASA image: Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Tours: Modem Lab
Video
Dec 9, 2016

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Tours: Modem Lab

Take a virtual tour of LCRD's ground and flight modems lab and the optical modules cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space...

GSFC
NASA image: Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Tours: Cleanroom
Video
Dec 9, 2016

Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Tours: Cleanroom

Take a virtual tour of LCRD's ground and flight modems lab and the optical modules cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space...

GSFC
NASA image: Space Science
Image
May 1, 2001

Space Science

This photograph shows Wes Brown, Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC's) lead diamond tuner, an expert in the...

MSFC
NASA image: Space Radar Image of Ubar Optical/Radar
Image
Apr 28, 1998

Space Radar Image of Ubar Optical/Radar

This pair of images from space shows a portion of the southern Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula in the country...

JPL
NASA image: Repairing Hubble Exhibit Reception
Image
Apr 23, 2014

Repairing Hubble Exhibit Reception

Individuals in attendance who had a hand in the development or servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope pose for a...

HQ
NASA image: From Taters to Terabits: NASA Wraps Up Deep Space Laser Test
Video
Sep 18, 2025

From Taters to Terabits: NASA Wraps Up Deep Space Laser Test

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration has successfully concluded after two years,...

JPL
NASA image: OPALS Thermal Vacuum Testing
Image
Jul 24, 2014

OPALS Thermal Vacuum Testing

The Optical PAyload for Lasercomm Science OPALS flight terminal undergoes testing in a thermal vacuum chamber at...

JPL
NASA image: OPALS Thermal Blankets
Image
Jul 24, 2014

OPALS Thermal Blankets

Optical PAyload for Lasercomm Science OPALS is covered in white thermal blankets awaiting integration with its...

JPL
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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

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DSCOVR EPIC daily images

Launch Schedule

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Mission updates & discoveries