---
title: ToolRouter — Tool Detail
description: Detailed documentation for a ToolRouter tool including skills, parameters, and examples.
url: https://toolrouter.com/tools/satellite-imagery
---
# Satellite Imagery

Get satellite and aerial photos of any location on Earth. Sub-meter resolution in cities, global coverage. Also NASA dated imagery (MODIS) and full-Earth photos from the DSCOVR satellite.

- **Version:** 0.02
- **Categories:** data, media
- **Workflow:** image_metadata → capture_location → capture_dated → earth_photo

## Skills (4)

### Capture Location (`capture_location`)

Get a high-resolution satellite photo of any location on Earth. Sub-meter resolution in populated areas — you can see buildings, roads, and vehicles. Powered by Esri World Imagery.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `latitude` | number | Yes | Latitude of the center point (-90 to 90) |
| `longitude` | number | Yes | Longitude of the center point (-180 to 180) |
| `radius_km` | number | No | Radius in km to capture (default: 1, max: 500) [default: 1] |
| `width` | number | No | Image width in pixels (max: 4096) [default: 1024] |
| `height` | number | No | Image height in pixels (max: 4096) [default: 1024] |
| `format` | string | No | Image format (jpg, png) [default: "jpg"] |

**Returns:** Satellite photo with image_url (permanent link) and image_page (shareable download page)

**Examples:**

*Satellite photo of the Pentagon:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 38.871,
  "longitude": -77.056,
  "radius_km": 0.5
}
```

*Aerial view of central London:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 51.5074,
  "longitude": -0.1278,
  "radius_km": 2
}
```

### Capture Dated (`capture_dated`)

Get NASA satellite imagery for a specific date. Uses MODIS Terra at 250m resolution — good for large-area views, natural disasters, and before/after comparisons. Specify a date to see what the area looked like.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `latitude` | number | Yes | Latitude of the center point |
| `longitude` | number | Yes | Longitude of the center point |
| `date` | string | Yes | Date in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g. 2024-06-15) |
| `radius_km` | number | No | Radius in km (default: 50, larger because 250m resolution) [default: 50] |
| `width` | number | No | Image width in pixels [default: 1024] |
| `height` | number | No | Image height in pixels [default: 1024] |

**Returns:** Dated satellite image with image_url and image_page

**Examples:**

*LA fires area on Jan 10 2025:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 34.05,
  "longitude": -118.25,
  "date": "2025-01-10",
  "radius_km": 30
}
```

*Ukraine front lines:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 48,
  "longitude": 37.8,
  "date": "2024-06-01",
  "radius_km": 100
}
```

### Earth Photo (`earth_photo`)

Get a full-Earth photo taken from deep space by NASA DSCOVR satellite (1.5M km from Earth). Shows the entire sunlit side of the planet. Specify a date or get the latest available image.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `date` | string | No | Date in YYYY-MM-DD format (optional — omit for latest available) |

**Returns:** Full-Earth photo from space with image_url, image_page, date, and centroid coordinates

**Examples:**

*Latest Earth photo from space:*

```json
{}
```

*Earth photo on Christmas 2024:*

```json
{
  "date": "2024-12-25"
}
```

### Image Metadata (`image_metadata`)

Get metadata about satellite imagery at a location — when it was captured, which satellite/source, and the resolution. Use this to check how recent the imagery is before or after taking a photo.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `latitude` | number | Yes | Latitude (-90 to 90) |
| `longitude` | number | Yes | Longitude (-180 to 180) |

**Returns:** Imagery metadata with capture dates, sources (satellite names), and resolution in meters

**Examples:**

*When was Pentagon imagery captured?:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 38.871,
  "longitude": -77.056
}
```

*Check imagery date for London:*

```json
{
  "latitude": 51.5074,
  "longitude": -0.1278
}
```

## Quick Start

```bash
# Via CLI
TOOLROUTER_API_KEY=tr_live_xxx npx -y toolrouter-mcp call satellite-imagery capture_location --latitude 38.871 --longitude -77.056 --radius_km 0.5

# Via REST API
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer tr_live_xxx" \
     -d '{"tool":"satellite-imagery","skill":"capture_location","input":{"latitude":38.871,"longitude":-77.056,"radius_km":0.5}}' \
     https://api.toolrouter.com/v1/tools/call
```

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I get a satellite photo of a specific place?

`capture_location` gives a high-resolution image for any latitude and longitude, with sub-meter detail in populated areas.

### Can I see what a place looked like on a specific date?

`capture_dated` uses NASA MODIS imagery for date-specific, larger-area views and before/after comparisons.

### How do I check how recent the imagery is?

`image_metadata` shows the best available source, capture date, and resolution for a location.

### Can I get the full Earth from space?

Yes. `earth_photo` returns the latest available full-Earth image or a date-specific one if you provide `date`.

---

## Get Started with ToolRouter

**Already connected?** Call any tool with `use_tool({ tool, skill, input })`. Browse tools with `discover` or visit https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt

**New to ToolRouter?** Connect with one command (no API key needed — auto-provisions on first use):

```bash
# MCP (Claude Code, Codex CLI)
claude mcp add toolrouter -- npx -y toolrouter-mcp

# MCP (Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop)
{"mcpServers":{"toolrouter":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","toolrouter-mcp"]}}}

# Claude Chat / Claude Cowork / Claude Mobile — add as a connector:
# Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector → URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# ChatGPT — add as an app:
# Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → enable Developer mode → Create app → MCP Server URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# CLI (works instantly, no restart needed)
npx -y toolrouter-mcp tools                    # browse all tools
npx -y toolrouter-mcp search "seo"             # search by keyword
npx -y toolrouter-mcp call seo analyze_page --url https://example.com
```

Free tools work immediately. For paid tools, visit https://toolrouter.com/claim to add credits.

All platforms: https://toolrouter.com/connect | Full catalog: https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt | Docs: https://toolrouter.com/docs