Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for NASA APIs
npm install @programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server
bash
env NASA_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY npx -y @programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server@latest
`
You can also pass the API key as a command line argument:
`bash
npx -y @programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server@latest --nasa-api-key=YOUR_API_KEY
`
$3
You can use SuperGateway for Server-Sent Events (SSE).
The developers of NASA-MCP-server DO NOT ENDORSE the SuperGateway repository. This information is provided for those who wish to implement SSE functionality at their own discretion.
$3
`bash
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ProgramComputer/NASA-MCP-server.git
Install dependencies
cd NASA-MCP-server
npm install
Run with your API key
NASA_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY npm start
`
$3
Configuring Cursor 🖥️ Note: Requires Cursor version 0.45.6+
To configure NASA MCP Server in Cursor:
Create or edit an mcp.json file in your Cursor configuration directory with the following content:
`json
{
"mcpServers": {
"nasa-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@programcomputer/nasa-mcp-server@latest"],
"env": {
"NASA_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
}
}
}
}
`
Replace your-api-key with your NASA API key from https://api.nasa.gov/.
After adding the configuration, restart Cursor to see the new NASA tools. The Composer Agent will automatically use NASA MCP when appropriate for space-related queries.
Environment Variables
The server can be configured with the following environment variables:
| Variable | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| NASA_API_KEY | Your NASA API key (get at api.nasa.gov) |
Included NASA APIs
This MCP server integrates the following NASA APIs:
1. NASA Open API (api.nasa.gov):
- APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)
- EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera)
- DONKI (Space Weather Database Of Notifications, Knowledge, Information)
- Insight (Mars Weather Service)
- Mars Rover Photos
- NEO (Near Earth Object Web Service)
- EONET (Earth Observatory Natural Event Tracker)
- TLE (Two-Line Element)
- NASA Image and Video Library
- Exoplanet Archive
- NASA Sounds API (Beta)
- POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources)
2. JPL Solar System Dynamics API (ssd-api.jpl.nasa.gov):
- SBDB (Small-Body DataBase)
- SBDB Close-Approach Data
- Fireball Data
- Scout API
3. Earth Data APIs:
- GIBS (Global Imagery Browse Services)
- CMR (Common Metadata Repository) - Enhanced with advanced search capabilities
- EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera)
- FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System)
API Methods
Each NASA API is exposed through standardized MCP methods:
$3
`json
{
"method": "nasa/apod",
"params": {
"date": "2023-01-01", // Optional: YYYY-MM-DD format
"count": 5, // Optional: Return a specified number of random images
"thumbs": true // Optional: Return URL of video thumbnail
}
}
`
$3
`json
{
"method": "nasa/mars-rover",
"params": {
"rover": "curiosity", // Required: "curiosity", "opportunity", or "spirit"
"sol": 1000, // Either sol or earth_date is required
"earth_date": "2023-01-01", // YYYY-MM-DD format
"camera": "FHAZ" // Optional: Filter by camera type
}
}
`
$3
`json
{
"method": "nasa/neo",
"params": {
"start_date": "2023-01-01", // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format
"end_date": "2023-01-07" // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format (max 7 days from start)
}
}
`
$3
`json
{
"method": "nasa/gibs",
"params": {
"layer": "MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor", // Required: Layer ID
"date": "2023-01-01", // Required: YYYY-MM-DD format
"format": "png" // Optional: "png" or "jpg"
}
}
`
$3
`json
{
"method": "nasa/power",
"params": {
"parameters": "T2M,PRECTOTCORR,WS10M", // Required: Comma-separated list
"community": "re", // Required: Community identifier
"latitude": 40.7128, // Required: Latitude
"longitude": -74.0060, // Required: Longitude
"start": "20220101", // Required: Start date (YYYYMMDD)
"end": "20220107" // Required: End date (YYYYMMDD)
}
}
`
For complete documentation of all available methods and parameters, see the API reference in the /docs directory.
Logging System
The server includes comprehensive logging:
* Operation status and progress
* Performance metrics
* Rate limit tracking
* Error conditions
* Request validation
Example log messages:
`
[INFO] NASA MCP Server initialized successfully
[INFO] Processing APOD request for date: 2023-01-01
[INFO] Fetching Mars Rover data for Curiosity, sol 1000
[WARNING] Rate limit threshold reached (80%)
[ERROR] Invalid parameter: 'date' must be in YYYY-MM-DD format
`
Security Considerations
This MCP server implements security best practices following the Model Context Protocol specifications:
* Input validation and sanitization using Zod schemas
* No execution of arbitrary code
* Protection against command injection
* Proper error handling to prevent information leakage
* Rate limiting and timeout controls for API requests
* No persistent state that could be exploited across sessions
Development
`bash
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ProgramComputer/NASA-MCP-server.git
Install dependencies
npm install
Copy the example environment file and update with your API keys
cp .env.example .env
Build the TypeScript code
npm run build
Start the development server
npm run dev
Run tests
npm test
`
Testing with MCP Inspector
The NASA MCP Server includes a script to help you test the APIs using the MCP Inspector:
`bash
Run the provided test script
./scripts/test-with-inspector.sh
`
This will:
1. Build the project to ensure the latest changes are included
2. Start the MCP Inspector with the NASA MCP server running
3. Allow you to interactively test all the NASA APIs
$3
The repository includes example test requests for each API that you can copy and paste into the MCP Inspector:
`bash
View the example test requests
cat docs/inspector-test-examples.md
`
For detailed examples, see the Inspector Test Examples document.
MCP Client Usage
This server follows the official Model Context Protocol. Here's an example of how to use it with the MCP SDK:
`typescript
import { Client } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js";
import { HttpClientTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/http.js";
const transport = new HttpClientTransport({
url: "http://localhost:3000",
});
const client = new Client({
name: "mcp-client",
version: "1.0.0",
});
await client.connect(transport);
// Example: Get today's Astronomy Picture of the Day
const apodResult = await client.request({
method: "nasa/apod",
params: {}
});
// Example: Get Mars Rover photos
const marsRoverResult = await client.request({
method: "nasa/mars-rover",
params: { rover: "curiosity", sol: 1000 }
});
// Example: Search for Near Earth Objects
const neoResults = await client.request({
method: "nasa/neo",
params: {
start_date: '2023-01-01',
end_date: '2023-01-07'
}
});
// Example: Get satellite imagery from GIBS
const satelliteImage = await client.request({
method: "nasa/gibs",
params: {
layer: 'MODIS_Terra_CorrectedReflectance_TrueColor',
date: '2023-01-01'
}
});
// Example: Use the new POWER API
const powerData = await client.request({
method: "nasa/power",
params: {
parameters: "T2M,PRECTOTCORR,WS10M",
community: "re",
latitude: 40.7128,
longitude: -74.0060,
start: "20220101",
end: "20220107"
}
});
`
Contributing
1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Run tests: npm test`