Introducing ViewSpace’s Products

In order to navigate this guide, you must first understand the types of content and resources ViewSpace provides, including:

Description:

  • ViewSpace currently offers hundreds of videos covering a wide range of Earth and space science topics highlighting the latest news and discoveries from NASA, ranging from the “Life and Death of Stars” to “Extreme physics and phenomena.” ViewSpace videos feature stunning images from space telescopes and Earth-observing satellites, visualizations, and captions to help guide the narrative. Ambience music can also be turned on or off.

How to get started:

  • To view a single video on a particular topic, use the main navigation on ViewSpace.org to go to Videos, and then Video Library. From there, you can use the Sort feature to filter videos alphabetically, by length, or by publication date, or you can use the Search Topics bar or the Popular Topics drop-down menu to filter videos by science topics covered.

Description:

  • Libraries, museums, science centers, and other informal learning venues can set up a monitor to play a continually updating set of either Earth, Space, or ViewSpace (both Earth and Space) Collection videos (collectively referred to as ViewSpace Video Collections). These Video Collections aim to engage visitors and inspire them to learn about the wonders of our world and universe.

How to get started:

Description:

  • ViewSpace interactives enable users to explore NASA data in greater detail and at their own pace using touchscreens or computer controls, by allowing them to fade between and compare multiple images, parts of the same image, graphs, and/or diagrams. Interactives lead users through scientific stories by illustrating how objects change over time, are positioned in relation to one another, and/or how observing space in different wavelengths of light reveals unique details and phenomena.

How to get started:

  • To explore individual ViewSpace interactives, use the main navigation on ViewSpace.org to go to Interactives, and then About the Interactives. Scroll down to the Start Exploring section to browse interactives by topic.

Description:

  • ViewSpace’s free Interactives Web App provides direct access to the complete library of ViewSpace interactives from a mobile device’s home screen or a computer desktop, and can be locked to prevent users from navigating away from the library to access other sites, apps, or functionalities. This makes the Web App ideal for use as an interactive kiosk or for use during informal education programs and activities.

How to get started:


You can also access a PDF version of this guide at any time. Last updated 2024-03-28.

Setting up ViewSpace Video Collections as a Kiosk / Exhibit

To display ViewSpace Video Collections properly, make sure you have all of the following:

  • An internet-connected device (e.g., a tablet, desktop or laptop computer, etc.) to display videos
  • Reliable internet access that supports streaming video
  • A modern web browser (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Safari)
    • Note: In this guide we present one way of setting up ViewSpace as a kiosk or exhibit utilizing Microsoft Edge on a computer running Windows 10 Pro (instructions are similar for equivalent versions of Windows) [See Section G below]. Please note that this is not required to use ViewSpace and is one method of setting up a ViewSpace kiosk.
  • Optional: An external display (e.g., monitor or projector) to show ViewSpace videos on a larger screen while securing the internet-connected device streaming the videos

To access the ViewSpace Video Collections, you will need to be invited into the system after requesting an account. The invitation will arrive in the form of an e-mail from ViewSpace Support (support@viewspace.org). To receive an invitation:

  • Go to Videos, then Video Collections (https://viewspace.org/playlists/featured) and click on Request Account. From there, you’ll be asked to enter your Contact name and Title, as well as your Organization name, Email, Zip Code, and Type (e.g., museum, science center, library, etc.).
  • Once you click Submit Account Request, you should hear back from the team within seven business days.
  • If you are expecting an e-mail but have not yet received it, check your junk or spam folders.
  • If you still have not been sent an invitation after seven business days, please contact ViewSpace Support (support@viewspace.org).

  • Make sure the operating system of the computer, tablet, or other device you plan to use is up to date.
  • Place your device in a location where you will be comfortable working on it.
  • Make sure you have reliable internet access.
  • Access your e-mail invitation from ViewSpace Support.

  1. Open the Accept Invitation link in the e-mail from ViewSpace Support. This will take you to the Account Setup page.
  2. Register by creating a password of your choice. Screenshot of the ViewSpace Account Setup page showing fields for e-mail and password circled in red. Note: The e-mail shown on the Account Setup page is the e-mail that your invitation was sent to. If you want to register under a different e-mail, please contact ViewSpace Support through support@viewspace.org.
  3. Complete your User Profile. Screenshot of a completed User Profile, with the fields for First Name, Last Name, Job Title, and Your Profession Type completed. Note: If not all the required fields are completed, you will be prompted to fill them in. Don’t forget to read and accept the terms and conditions.
  4. Once you have submitted the form, your name should appear at the top of the screen. You are now free to use ViewSpace with your new username and password. Screenshot of the ViewSpace Video Collections page showing the logged in user name at the top right on the webpage’s navigation bar.

Once you have registered, you can access the ViewSpace Video Collections via any internet-connected device.

  1. Navigate to https://viewspace.org.
  2. Enter your username and password.
  3. Choose from one of three playlists by clicking on the respective image (doing so will begin playing that collection of videos):
    • The ViewSpace Collection plays all Earth and space shows
    • The Space Collection plays videos focused on the Solar System, galaxy, and universe beyond Earth
    • The Earth Collection plays videos focused on Earth
Screenshot of the ViewSpace Video Collections page showing clickable images for the ViewSpace Collection (showing the curvature of Earth as seen from space), the Space Collection (showing a rectangular image of a glowing pink and blue spiral galaxy), and the Earth Collection (showing an image of water and land as seen from space).

Once you have signed up and logged in to ViewSpace, you can control the video while it is playing, using the keys indicated in the following table.

To Press
Pause/Play Left click on your mouse or touchpad
Skip to next video Right arrow ➜
Toggle between full screen and windowed view f
Toggle mute on and off m
Show Help ?


To view specific videos, exit the Collections and go to the Video Library.

You can configure a ViewSpace Video Collection to play automatically (Kiosk Mode) whenever your device restarts, eliminating the need for logging in. This ensures continued, seamless operation of ViewSpace as a video kiosk or exhibit.

  • Note: Skipping this step won't hinder ViewSpace's functionality, but you'll need to restart the Video Collection manually each time your device restarts.

Setting up Kiosk Mode allows you to display ViewSpace videos without exposing any personal or institutional data. Additionally, you can set a required pin that must be entered for navigating away from the kiosk, thus restricting access to other pages, applications, and settings on your device.

The instructions below will walk you through how to set up Kiosk Mode using Microsoft Edge on a computer running Windows 10 Pro, but ViewSpace is compatible with various hardware and software configurations. Our team provides user support for Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise, 10 or 11 Education, and 10 or 11 Pro, unless account access is restricted by your organization.

  • Note: On Step C (below), if you don’t see an “Other users” or “Family & other users” account, please contact your IT department for assistance to see if they can create an additional user profile.
Disclaimer: While we have provided instructions below for one method that we have tested and can support, we encourage users to experiment and use ViewSpace in a manner that works best for their organization. ViewSpace has been displayed in diverse configurations, ranging from planetarium projectors to mobile devices.
  1. Set up Windows to act as a kiosk.

    1. Open the Settings app on the Start menu.

    2. Click on Accounts below.

      3. Screenshot of the Windows “Settings” window on a Windows computer. Among a grid-like pattern of options, a red rectangle highlights the “Accounts” option.

    3. Select Other users or Family & other users. Then click Assigned access under Set up a kiosk.

      1. Note: If you don’t see an “Other users” or “Family & other users” account, please reach out to your IT department.

      4. Screenshot of the Windows “Family and other users” window. Toward the bottom, underneath the “Set up a kiosk” section, a large red arrow points to the "Assigned access" option, which is highlighted by a red rectangle.

    4. Click Get Started.

      5. Screenshot of the Windows “Set up a kiosk” window. A large red arrow points to the “Get started” button, which is highlighted by a red rectangle.

    5. Enter the name you wish this kiosk account to have in the Add a name text entry box, then click Next below.

      6. Screenshot of a pop-up window that says “Create an account.” Further below, underneath the “Add a name” section is a white rectangle outlined in red with text that reads “ViewSpace Kiosk.”

    6. Choose what app you’d like to use to run ViewSpace (Microsoft Edge in this case).

      7. Screenshot of a pop-up window that says “Choose a kiosk app.” Multiple options are listed below, but a large red arrow points to the Microsoft Edge option, which is also highlighted in red.

    7. Select As a digital sign or interactive display under How will this kiosk be used?

      8. Screenshot of a pop-up window that says “How will this kiosk be used?” Two options are listed below. A large red arrow points to the first option that reads “As a digital sign or interactive display.”

    8. Change the Restart Microsoft Edge after someone has not used it for to “12 hours” using the drop-down menu. Click Next at the bottom.

      1. Note: Keep this page open. You will insert the auto-login URL into this page after completing Step 2 below.

      9. Screenshot of a pop-up window that says “Enter your website’s URL.” There are two boxes. The first reads “Auto-Login URL Goes Here,” and the second box has “12 hours” selected from a drop-down menu.
  2. Retrieve your auto-login URL.

    1. Log in to ViewSpace.org (https://viewspace.org) with your username and password.

    2. Go to your User Profile by clicking on your name (usually in the top right corner) or by going to https://viewspace.org/profile.

      A screenshot on the left-hand side shows the ViewSpace Video Collections page with the Profile button in the upper right circled in red. A red arrow points to a screenshot on the right displaying the User Profile information fields that must be filled in to register an account, including First Name, Last Name, Phone, Job Title, and Your Profession Type.

    3. Scroll down to the bottom of the profile page. Here you will find your auto-login URLs. Screenshot of the User Profile page zoomed in to the Authentication Token Information. The auto-logins for the ViewSpace Collection, Space Collection, and Earth Collection are circled in red.

    4. Copy the auto-login URL of the video collection that you want to view (either the ViewSpace Collection, Space Collection, or the Earth Collection). Note: This URL includes your authentication token and is unique to you.

  3. Paste your auto-login URL

    1. Return to your Set up a kiosk page in the Settings app on the Windows Start Menu, and paste the auto-login URL you chose (either the ViewSpace Collection, Space Collection, or the Earth Collection) from your ViewSpace account into the box below Enter your website’s URL. Click Save. Screenshot of the Windows “Set up a kiosk” window. Just below is the “Choose a kiosk mode” section, which lists two options. The first option - “As a digital sign or interactive display” - is selected. Further below is the “Enter your website’s URL” section, which has two text entry boxes. A large red arrow points to the first box - "This is the website that will open in Microsoft Edge and appear full screen." - which has text entered that reads “ViewSpace URL Goes Here.” A red rectangle also highlights this box. The next "Restart Microsoft Edge after someone has not used it for" text box has “12 hours” selected from the drop-down menu. At the bottom of the screen, beneath “Advanced settings" the "When the device crashes, don't show an error, and automatically restart" checkbox is selected.

    2. Once it says “You’re done!” click Close. You are finished with this step. Screenshot of a pop-up window that reads “You’re done!” Toward the bottom, there are two buttons. The “Close” button is highlighted.

  4. Set up your kiosk to play ViewSpace automatically.

    1. By default, your device will automatically log in to the kiosk you just set up when powered on. If this is not desired, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and toggle off Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart.
      Screenshot of the Windows “Sign-in options” window. Toward the bottom, underneath the “Privacy” section, there are two buttons. The first "Show account details such as my email address on the sign-in screen" button is toggled "off." The second "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart" is toggled "on" and has a large red arrow pointing toward it and a red rectangle surrounding it.

Note: On the first launch, you may need to sign in. To avoid having to re-enter your username and password each time, choose Save when prompted to save your password.

Recommendation: You will be prompted to set up a pin code to prevent users from navigating away from the ViewSpace kiosk. While this step is not required, it is highly recommended for any display setup that visitors can access.

Every ViewSpace video is produced with background music. However, many browsers now do not permit videos to automatically play with sound. Because this functionality affects all videos, including those on ViewSpace, the default for ViewSpace auto-play is set for no sound.

To enable the sound during auto-play:

  1. On your profile page (viewspace.org/profile), scroll down and set "Sound with auto-login?" to yes and click on Update Sound. Screenshot of the Authentication Token Information section of the User Profile page on ViewSpace. The dropdown menu for "Sound with auto-login" is open and circled. "Yes" is highlighted.
  2. You’ll get a pop up reminder to view the Setup Guide. Click OK. Screenshot showing the pop-up reminder to view the setup guide, with the blue OK button circled in red.
  3. Open Registry Editor from the search box or your Windows app list. Screenshot of the Windows home screen. In the bottom left, the search box has text that reads “Registry Editor.” A pop-up window with results is shown on the left, and the Registry Editor app is shown on the right. A large red arrow points to the “Open” option that is highlighted by a red rectangle.
  4. Click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (this is your computer) to expand the list, then expand the Software folder. Screenshot of the Windows “Registry Editor” window. Toward the upper left is a large red arrow that points to the “SOFTWARE” folder, which is highlighted by a red rectangle. The "SOFTWARE" folder is shown here as the fifth option under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
  5. Navigate to Policies > Microsoft > MicrosoftEdge (or Edge). Screenshot of the “Registry Editor” window open on a Windows computer. Toward the lower left a red arrow points to the “Edge” folder, which is highlighted by a red rectangle. The Edge folder is located under the following folders and sub-folders: Computer, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, POLICIES, and Microsoft.
  6. Right-click in the empty space below Default (or go to Edit > New), select New, and then select DWORD (32-bit) Value from the drop-down menu that appears. Name it “AutoplayAllowed” (no spaces between words). Note: Contact your IT department if you receive an error message, as it may mean that you do not have admin privileges. Screenshot of the “Registry Editor” window. Toward the left, the “Edge” folder is selected. In the center, two files are listed. A blue rectangle with the word “New” opens to a drop-down menu showing seven options descending below. The fourth option from the top of the list “DWORD (32-bit) Value” is selected and highlighted in blue.
  7. Right-click the AutoplayAllowed you just created and select modify, then set the value to “1.” Leave the Base as “Hexadecimal.” Click OK. Screenshot of the “Registry Editor” window with a pop-up that reads “Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value.” A red arrow points to the “Value data” and “Base” sections, which are surrounded by a red rectangle box. Underneath the “Value data” section, the number “1” is highlighted in blue, and “Hexadecimal” is selected underneath the “Base” section directly to the right.
  8. Test the new setup by restarting your computer. If ViewSpace starts playing with sound, success! If not, please review the steps listed above, ask your IT for support, or if that does not work, reach out to us directly at: support@viewspace.org.

Installing the ViewSpace Interactives Web App

ViewSpace’s free Interactives Web App (hereafter referred to as “Web App”) provides direct access to the complete library of ViewSpace interactives from a mobile device’s home screen or a computer desktop, and can be locked using Guided Access (on iOS devices) or pinning (on Android devices) to prevent users from navigating away from the interactives to access other sites, apps, or functionalities, making the Web App ideal for use as an interactive kiosk or during informal education programs.

The following video explains the purpose of ViewSpace's Interactives, how they can be used to engage lifelong learners, and provides instructions on installing and using the Interactives Web App with Guided Access for secure use by the public.

Note: The following instructions describe how to install the Web App using Google Chrome on a desktop computer (either Microsoft or iOS/Apple), Safari on an Apple (iOS) device, and Google Chrome on an Android device, respectively. However, ViewSpace may be compatible with many different types of hardware and software.

Installing the Web App on a Desktop

Note: The images in this section illustrate the steps for installing the Web App using Google Chrome on an iOS (Apple) desktop computer, however you can follow similar steps using Microsoft Edge.

  1. Open Google Chrome and go to ViewSpace.org. At the top right of the address bar, click the Install ViewSpace Interactives button.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Google Chrome. On the browser bar at the top right, a download icon is circled in red. Below the icon is a popup with the words "Install app? ViewSpace Interactives" along with a blue button on the bottom right labeled Install.
  2. Click on Install.
    • A shortcut to the Web App will appear on your desktop or in your Launchpad (Mac). Two screenshots show shortcuts to the ViewSpace Interactives Web App on the desktop screen of a Windows computer (pictured on the left) and an Apple computer (pictured on the right). Both icons show a greenish-blue illustration of half of the earth surrounded by atmosphere, three stars, and a galaxy above. The icon on the left, from a Windows computer desktop, has a small blue arrow inside of a white box, positioned over the bottom left-hand corner of the icon illustration.
    • In addition, the next time you access the website, the install button will be replaced with a link to open the Web App.
      Screenshot of the ViewSpace home page. On the right side of the browser bar is a launch icon that is circled, which resembles a box with an arrow pointing out of it diagonally upward to the right. Below the icon is a popup with the words Open with and ViewSpace Interactives. A highlighted Open button is at the bottom right of the popup.

Installing the Web App on an iOS Mobile Device

  1. Open viewspace.org in Safari.
  2. Click on the share icon, either on the top of bottom of the screen (this resembles a box with an arrow emerging from the top).
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Safari. A share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward) is in the upper right and is circled in red.
  3. Choose the Add to Home Screen option.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Safari showing a dropdown menu. The option "Add to Home Screen" is circled in red.
  4. Click Add to Home Screen. This will install the Web App to the device.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen. In the upper right is the Add the Home Screen menu, with the Add option circled in red.
  5. The ViewSpace app icon should now appear on your home or app screen.
    Screenshot of the mobile app screen with a shortcut icon labeled ViewSpace. The icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with stars and a galaxy above.

Securing the Web App on an iOS Mobile Device

  1. To prevent users from navigating away from the Web App to other websites or applications when using your iOS device as an interactive kiosk or during programs, you can set up Guided Access. To do this, first open the Accessibility menu within Settings, and click on Guided Access.
    Screenshot showing the Settings menu on the left with the Accessibility option highlighted. On the right is the Accessibility menu with Guided Access circled in red.
  2. Toggle on Guided Access and follow the instructions to set up a passcode. Note: Guided Access will apply to all of your apps, not just ViewSpace.
    Screenshot showing the Settings menu on the left with the Accessibility option highlighted. On the right is the Guided Access box. The Guided Access on/off toggle is circled in red.
  3. To turn off Guided Access on an iOS device, you can do any of the following:
    • Triple-click the side button or Home button on your device, and then enter the Guided Access passcode you created (see previous step).
    • On an iPad or iPhone with Face ID turned on, you can double-click the side button on your device, then use your Face ID to unlock the screen.
    • On an iPhone or iPad with Touch ID turned on, you can double-click the Home button, then unlock the screen with your fingerprint using Touch ID.

Note: The following instructions detail how to install the Web App on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (hereafter referred to as “Samsung tablet”) using Google Chrome, however it may also work using other browsers. Please note that not all Android devices may follow the same installation process.

Installing the Web App on an Android Mobile Device

  1. Open ViewSpace.org in Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper navigation bar. From the resulting drop-down menu, select Install app.
    Two Samsung tablet screens are shown side by side showing the ViewSpace website opened in Google Chrome. On the screen to the left, the right side of the top navigation bar has three dots circled in red. The second screen shows a red arrow and circle highlighting the words "Install app" from the drop down menu resulting from clicking on the three dots.
  3. Click Install. A pop-up may appear that asks if you’d like to view the installed application.
    Screenshot of the Google Chrome pop up notification box confirming that the user would like to "Install App," with the "Install" button circled.
  4. The ViewSpace Web App icon should now appear on your home screen.
    Image of a Samsung tablet screen with the ViewSpace Interactives web app shortcut icon circled and indicated with a red arrow. The web app icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with three stars and a galaxy above.

Securing the Web App on an Android Mobile Device

If you’d like to set up an Android mobile device for use during public programs or as an interactive kiosk, follow these instructions to pin the app so users can’t navigate away from the ViewSpace Interactives. Note: “Pin windows” is Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s version of Guided Access. Other manufacturers may have their own built-in version or may allow you to download third party applications that fulfil the same function.

  1. To enable “Pin windows,” first open Settings, and then click on the section called Biometrics and security.
    Images of two Samsung tablet screens side by side, with a red arrow pointing to the Settings shortcut icon on the home screen on the tablet pictured to the left. The screen on the right shows the Settings page opened on the tablet with a red arrow pointing to the top section on the left-hand side, labelled Biometrics and Security.
  2. Click on Other security settings to access the second-level settings.
    Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the Other security settings option on the right-hand side of the screen.
  3. Scroll down until you find the Pin windows section, and click on the toggle to activate. Then, click on the text to define its additional settings. Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the second option from the drop-down menu on the righthand side that says "Pin windows." The toggle beside the words Pin windows is highlighted in blue, indicating it has been turned on.
  4. Follow the instructions to create a PIN or Password (if you don’t have one already) to secure your device while displaying a pinned application.

  5. Turn on the Ask for PIN before unpinning toggle to ensure that users cannot navigate away from the Web App once it has been pinned. Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the toggle beside the words "Ask for PIN before unpinning," which is highlighted in blue, indicating it has been turned on.
  6. Using the navigation bar at the bottom of your home screen, click on the Recents button (resembles three vertical tally marks) to open your recently opened apps. From there, click on the ViewSpace Web App icon to display the drop-down menu of options. Screenshot of the lower portion of a Samsung tablet screen. It displays a red-circled navigation button on the lower left that resembles three vertical tally lines, with a red arrow pointing to its location. Screenshot of the top half of a Samsung tablet screen with the recent applications opened. The ViewSpace Interactives Web App icon is circled in red with a red arrow pointing to it. The web app icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with three stars and a galaxy above.
  7. Select Pin this app from the drop-down menu. This will now pin the application or window on the Samsung tablet’s screen. Screenshot of the top half of a Samsung tablet screen showing the recent applications opened. On the far right, the drop-down menu of options displayed from clicking on the ViewSpace Interactives web app icon is shown, with a red arrow pointing to the last option that says "Pin this app."
  8. With the Web App pinned on the screen, now those using the Samsung tablet will not be able to exit the interactives without knowing the unlock code or pattern that you have defined.

  9. To deactivate or stop pinning the Web App: Press and hold the back (shown as an arrow pointing left) and recent applications button (shown as three vertical bars) at the same time (as shown in the image below). A screenshot of the bottom of a Samsung tablet screen with a pop-up notification that reads "App is pinned, to unpin this app, touch and hold the Recents and Back buttons at the same time." The image has two red arrows pointing to the Recents and back buttons, which are located in the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.


Support and Contact Information

If you have trouble following any part of this document, cannot find answers to your questions within it, or wish to provide feedback, you can contact us directly at: support@viewspace.org.