Nasa MCP Server

MCP server with UI for NASA images

Local serverstdioTypeScript

What is the Nasa MCP server?

Most developer tooling work still happens through a UI a human drives. Nasa MCP server moves it into the conversation instead. MCP server with UI for NASA images.

The short version

A project to search NASA's image library using an MCP server and display images in an interactive UI.

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 1 tool. What each one is for:

  • DEMO_KEY — 30 requests/hour, 50 requests/day

What it needs from you

Configuration is passed through the environment: NASA_API_KEY, DEMO_KEY. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

  • Node.js 18 or higher - npm or yarn - NASA API Key (get free at nasa.gov/api)

Getting it running

@kaitoy/nasa-images-mcp-server on npm is all you need. Most clients run it directly, so configuration is a few lines and a restart.

How it compares

Plenty of developer tooling servers cover similar ground. The differences that matter in practice are scope of access and how much setup stands between you and a working tool call. Nasa's toolset — DEMO_KEY — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by kaitoy; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

SyncDev reviews every entry in this directory against the project's own documentation before publishing, and revisits them as servers change.

Things to watch

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
DEMO_KEY30 requests/hour, 50 requests/day

How to install the Nasa MCP server

**Using local build**:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nasa-images": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/nasa-images-mcp-server/build/index.js", "--stdio"],
      "env": {
        "NASA_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

  • Node.js 18 or higher - npm or yarn - NASA API Key (get free at nasa.gov/api)
VariableDescriptionRequired
NASA_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
DEMO_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Nasa to DEMO KEY.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Nasa to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 1 tool (DEMO_KEY) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Nasa directly.