JPL Close Approach vs Newton
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
JPL Close Approach vs Newton: common questions
Which is more reliable, JPL Close Approach or Newton?
On our scheduled checks, Newton leads on measured uptime — JPL Close Approach at 98.0% versus Newton at 100% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, JPL Close Approach or Newton?
Newton has the lower median latency in our checks — JPL Close Approach responds in 676 ms versus Newton at 323 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do JPL Close Approach and Newton need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — JPL Close Approach is callable with no signup, and Newton is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call JPL Close Approach and Newton from the browser?
Only Newton 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 Newton free for commercial use?
JPL Close Approach has unclear commercial terms, and Newton has unclear commercial terms. 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.