Top Free Sources of Satellite Imagery: 2025
- Anvita Shrivastava
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
In today's data-driven world, satellite imagery is essential for various applications, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, disaster management, urban planning, and GIS research. Access to high-quality satellite imagery can significantly impact students, researchers, and GIS professionals alike.
Fortunately, in 2025, several top-tier platforms are offering free satellite imagery.
NASA Earthdata
Website: https://earthdata.nasa.gov
NASA Earthdata is one of the most reliable sources of free satellite imagery. With tools like Worldview and access to datasets from MODIS, VIIRS, and Landsat, users can explore near-real-time imagery of the Earth’s surface.
Key Features:
Real-time and historical data
Free registration
High temporal resolution
USGS EarthExplorer
Website: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov
Managed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Earth Explorer provides access to free satellite imagery from Landsat, Sentinel-2, and more.
Key Features:
Detailed filters (location, time, cloud cover)
Download in various formats.
Long archive history (since the 1970s)
ESA Copernicus Open Access Hub
Website: https://scihub.copernicus.eu
The European Space Agency’s Copernicus program offers free access to Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and other missions through the SciHub portal.
Key Features:
High-resolution imagery
Frequent updates
Ideal for environmental and agricultural monitoring
Google Earth Engine
Website: https://earthengine.google.com
Google Earth Engine provides a cloud-based platform for geospatial analysis. It offers petabytes of historical and real-time satellite imagery from multiple sources.
Key Features:
JavaScript and Python APIs
Integration with Landsat, MODIS, Sentinel
Ideal for advanced analytics and machine learning
NASA FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System)
Website: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov
FIRMS delivers near-real-time active fire data using MODIS and VIIRS satellite sensors.
Key Features:
Updated every few hours
Fire and thermal anomaly data
Great for disaster monitoring
OpenAerialMap
Website: https://openaerialmap.org
OpenAerialMap is a community-driven platform that offers openly licensed satellite and aerial imagery.
Key Features:
Crowd-sourced aerial data
Global coverage
API access for developers
In 2025, the world of free satellite imagery is richer and more accessible than ever. Whether you're mapping deforestation, analysing urban sprawl, or monitoring agricultural health, these sources can give you the high-quality data you need, at no cost.
For more information or any questions regarding Satellite Imagery, please don't hesitate to contact us at
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