How to Download NASA Videos from the NASA Image and Video Library

You can download NASA videos for free from the NASA Image and Video Library at images.nasa.gov. Open the site, search for the video, open its detail page, and use the download options to save a file in the resolution you need. The library is the consolidated, searchable home for NASA imagery, and it lets users download content in multiple sizes and resolutions. One practical requirement: the site is a JavaScript application, so if scripts are blocked you'll see a message asking you to enable JavaScript instead of the search interface.

Before you start

• A browser with JavaScript enabled. The library's own notice is "Please enable JavaScript to continue using this application," so a script blocker or a stripped-down browser view will leave you stuck on that screen.
• Enough local storage for the file you pick. Video files are much larger than still images, so check free space before starting a long download.
• A media player that handles common web video formats, so you can confirm the file plays after it lands.

Step by step

1. Go to images.nasa.gov. This is the NASA Image and Video Library, which serves images, videos, and audio in one searchable location.
2. Search for the video. Use the search field with a specific term — a mission name, an event like a launch, or a topic. You can filter results to videos so you're not sorting through stills and audio.
3. Open the video's detail page. Click the result that matches what you want. The detail page is where the download controls and the file's metadata live.
4. Choose a download option. The library offers content in multiple sizes and resolutions. Pick the resolution that fits your use — a smaller file for quick sharing or embedding, a larger one for editing or presentation.
5. Save the file locally. Confirm the download in your browser and note where it's being saved.
6. Verify playback. Open the saved file in a media player and check that it plays from start to finish. This catches truncated or failed downloads before you rely on the file.

Choosing a resolution

The library's stated design is to let users download content in multiple sizes and resolutions, so the right pick depends on your purpose rather than a single "best" option.

Troubleshooting common problems

• You only see a JavaScript message. The application needs JavaScript to run. Enable it for images.nasa.gov, or turn off the extension or setting that's blocking scripts, then reload.
• No download button appears. Make sure you're on the video's detail page, not just a search results listing. Download options are tied to the individual item.
• The download stalls or fails. Large video files are sensitive to dropped connections. Retry, and if it keeps failing, try a different resolution or a different browser.
• The file won't play. Re-download it, and check that your player supports the format. A partial download is the most common cause of a file that opens but won't play through.
• You can't find the video at all. Broaden or reword your search terms, and confirm you're filtering for video rather than images or audio.

Using the metadata and credit information

Each item in the library carries metadata, and for images this can include EXIF and camera data. For videos, the detail page is where you'll find the descriptive and credit information associated with the clip. When you reuse NASA footage, read that metadata and carry the credit information into your project, so viewers know the source and any usage context the page provides.

What this covers and what it doesn't

This walks through downloading a video file from the NASA Image and Video Library to a local device, picking a resolution, and handling the common failure points. It doesn't cover editing the footage or publishing it — for those, the metadata and credit details on each item's page are your starting point.