JPL Close Approach vs NASA APOD
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
JPL Close Approach vs NASA APOD: common questions
Which is more reliable, JPL Close Approach or NASA APOD?
On our scheduled checks, JPL Close Approach leads on measured uptime — JPL Close Approach at 98.0% versus NASA APOD at 0.0% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Do JPL Close Approach and NASA APOD need an API key?
JPL Close Approach needs no key, while NASA APOD requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for JPL Close Approach first.
Can I call JPL Close Approach and NASA APOD from the browser?
Only NASA APOD is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. JPL Close Approach needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are JPL Close Approach and NASA APOD free for commercial use?
JPL Close Approach has unclear commercial terms, and NASA APOD allows commercial use on its free tier. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.