NASA World Wind

1.4.1 Alpha Virtual globe tool for Windows

Fernando Ortega

3D virtual globe software that provides access to a wealth of geospatial data and imagery for exploration and analysis.

NASA's 3D imaging technology on the PC for Earth, Moon, Venus, Mars and others -- similar to Google Earth in some ways.

NASA World Wind is a freeware earth explorer app and mapping tool developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration for Windows, it's comprehensive, efficient and fun.

The download has been tested by an editor here on a PC and a list of features has been compiled; see below.

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NASA's technology developed as a similar concept to Google Earth

At its simplest you can think of World Wind as a desk globe, however World Wind is not a simple desk globe.

World Wind allows any user to zoom from outer space into any place on Earth. World Wind uses satellite imagery and elevation data to allow users to experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D, just as if they were really there. Virtually visit anyplace in the world. Look across the Andes, into the Grand Canyon, over the Alps or along the African Sahara.

Unlike your desk globe World Wind can display thousands of placenames all over the world, from country capitals to villages in sparsely populated regions. You can see country borders, and in some cases intracountry borders such as US states.

World Wind can also be expanded to include additional imagery and data.. There have already been a number of add-ons created, from Norway's Prehistoric Hillforts to additional planets, for more information on using add-ons see the Add-on Launchpad.

Features of NASA World Wind

  • Blue Marble Next Generation.
  • Earth: The planet we live on.
  • Jupiter: The king of solar system planets.
  • Landsat: Collection of images from 1999-2003 at an impressive 15 m per pixel resolution.
  • Moon: Usually the brightest object in the night sky.
  • SDSS: Nothing less than the universe - the sky with stars and galaxies.
  • USGS: United States Geological Survey data.
  • Venus and Mars: Our inner and outer neighbours in solar system.
  • ZoomIt includes additional areas of high resolution imagery, such as New Zealand.

Compatibility and License

NASA World Wind is provided under a freeware license on Windows from mapping with no restrictions on usage. Download and installation of this PC software is free and 1.4.1 Alpha is the latest version last time we checked.

Filed under:
  1. NASA World Wind Download
  2. Free Mapping
  3. Open source and GPL software
  4. Earth Exploring Software
NASA World Wind has been picked by our editors as very good.
NASA World Wind has been tested for viruses and malware.
We have tested NASA World Wind 1.4.1 Alpha against malware with several different programs. We certify that this program is clean of viruses, malware and trojans.