MCP Server

The SkyWatch MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server enables AI assistants to search satellite imagery, estimate pricing, and browse available satellites through natural language conversations.

MCP Endpoint: https://api.skywatch.co/mcp

No API Key Required

The MCP server uses guest authentication. No API key or account setup is needed — connect your AI client and start searching.

Available Tools

`search_archive_imagery`

Search SkyWatch satellite imagery archive using natural language or structured parameters. Returns results with direct links to SkyWatch Explore for viewing and ordering.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`location_query`	string	—	Natural language location (e.g., "San Francisco", "downtown Toronto")
`coordinates`	object	—	`{lat, lon, radius_km}` for precise location search
`bbox`	array	—	Bounding box `[west, south, east, north]`
`geojson`	object	—	GeoJSON geometry (Polygon or Point)
`start_date`	string	—	ISO 8601 or natural language (e.g., "last month")
`end_date`	string	—	ISO 8601 or natural language (e.g., "today")
`max_cloud_cover`	number	`20`	Maximum cloud cover percentage (0–100)
`min_coverage`	number	—	Minimum area coverage percentage (0–100)
`resolution_preference`	string	—	`any`, `low`, `medium`, `high`, `very_high`
`data_type`	string	`all`	`all`, `satellite`, `optical`, `aerial`, `elevation`, `sar`, `basemaps`
`preferred_providers`	array	—	Provider names (e.g., `["Maxar", "Planet", "Airbus"]`)
`order_by`	string	`date`	Sort by: `date`, `resolution`, `coverage`, `cost`
`limit`	number	`10`	Maximum results (1–50)

At least one location parameter (location_query, coordinates, bbox, or geojson) is required.

`calculate_pricing`

Estimate the cost for satellite imagery based on location, date range, and resolution.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`location_query`	string	—	Natural language location
`coordinates`	object	—	`{lat, lon, radius_km}` for precise location
`geojson`	object	—	GeoJSON Polygon geometry
`start_date`	string	—	Start date (ISO 8601 or natural language)
`end_date`	string	—	End date (ISO 8601 or natural language)
`resolution`	string	`high`	`very_high` (<1m), `high` (1–5m), `medium` (5–30m), `low` (>30m)
`source`	string	—	Specific product name (e.g., "Pleiades Neo")
`offering_id`	string	—	Product offering UUID for precise pricing
`tasking`	boolean	`false`	Price for new tasking (`true`) or archive imagery (`false`)
`interval`	string	—	Capture interval for tasking (e.g., "7d", "30d"). Required when `tasking=true`

`get_satellites`

Get available satellites and sensors with their capabilities, resolution, and specifications.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`filter_by_resolution`	string	`all`	`very_high`, `high`, `medium`, `low`, `all`
`filter_by_type`	string	`all`	`optical`, `sar`, `elevation`, `all`
`include_details`	boolean	`true`	Include provider and revisit time specifications

`get_offerings`

Browse available satellite imagery products and their specifications, including archive and tasking options.

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`category`	string	`all`	`archive`, `tasking`, `all`
`partner_filter`	string	—	Filter by provider name (e.g., "Maxar", "Planet")
`product_name`	string	—	Filter by product name (e.g., "Pleiades Neo")
`resolution_filter`	object	—	`{min_meters, max_meters}` for resolution range
`location`	object	—	GeoJSON geometry to check availability for a specific area
`limit`	number	`20`	Maximum results (1–100)

Resources

The MCP server exposes three read-only resources:

Resource URI	Name	Format	Description
`skywatch://providers`	Satellite Imagery Providers	JSON	Provider capabilities, pricing, and specifications
`skywatch://pricing-tiers`	Pricing Tiers	JSON	Resolution-based pricing breakdown with 5 tiers
`skywatch://getting-started`	Getting Started Guide	Markdown	Example queries and usage tips

Examples

Search for Imagery

curl
Python
JavaScript

curl -X POST https://api.skywatch.co/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
      "name": "search_archive_imagery",
      "arguments": {
        "location_query": "San Francisco",
        "start_date": "last month",
        "end_date": "today",
        "max_cloud_cover": 15,
        "resolution_preference": "high",
        "limit": 5
      }
    }
  }'

import requests

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.skywatch.co/mcp",
    json={
        "jsonrpc": "2.0",
        "id": 1,
        "method": "tools/call",
        "params": {
            "name": "search_archive_imagery",
            "arguments": {
                "location_query": "San Francisco",
                "start_date": "last month",
                "end_date": "today",
                "max_cloud_cover": 15,
                "resolution_preference": "high",
                "limit": 5
            }
        }
    }
)
print(response.json())

const response = await fetch("https://api.skywatch.co/mcp", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    jsonrpc: "2.0",
    id: 1,
    method: "tools/call",
    params: {
      name: "search_archive_imagery",
      arguments: {
        location_query: "San Francisco",
        start_date: "last month",
        end_date: "today",
        max_cloud_cover: 15,
        resolution_preference: "high",
        limit: 5
      }
    }
  })
});
console.log(await response.json());

Get Pricing Estimate

curl -X POST https://api.skywatch.co/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
      "name": "calculate_pricing",
      "arguments": {
        "location_query": "Central Park, New York",
        "resolution": "high",
        "start_date": "last month",
        "end_date": "today"
      }
    }
  }'

List Available Satellites

curl -X POST https://api.skywatch.co/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
      "name": "get_satellites",
      "arguments": {
        "filter_by_type": "optical",
        "filter_by_resolution": "very_high"
      }
    }
  }'

Read a Resource

curl -X POST https://api.skywatch.co/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "resources/read",
    "params": {
      "uri": "skywatch://providers"
    }
  }'

Protocol Details

The MCP server implements the MCP 2025-03-26 specification over HTTP with JSON-RPC 2.0.

Supported Methods:

Method	Description
`initialize`	Initialize MCP session
`tools/list`	List available tools
`tools/call`	Execute a tool
`resources/list`	List available resources
`resources/read`	Read a resource
`prompts/list`	List available prompts
`prompts/get`	Get a prompt

Response Format:

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "result": {
    "content": [
      {
        "type": "text",
        "text": "## 10 Results Found\n..."
      }
    ]
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Search returns no results:

Expand the date range
Increase max_cloud_cover (default is 20%)
Try a larger search area or use any for resolution_preference

Timeout errors:

The search has a 25-second timeout
Try reducing the search area or date range
Use specific coordinates instead of large regions

Verify the endpoint is running:

curl https://api.skywatch.co/mcp/health

Available Tools​

search_archive_imagery​

calculate_pricing​

get_satellites​

get_offerings​

Resources​

Examples​

Search for Imagery​

Get Pricing Estimate​

List Available Satellites​

Read a Resource​

Protocol Details​

Troubleshooting​