Files with pds extension can be quite often encountered as NASA pictures in Planetary Data System file format.

There are 4 other file types using
the PDS file extension!

empty icon.pds - IncrediMail file

empty icon.pds - PALASM source code

empty icon.pds - Print Shop graphic image

empty icon.pds - Cyberlink PowerDirector project

PDS file extension - Planetary Data System graphic image

What is pds file? How to open pds files?

File type specification:

Graphics file type icon Graphics file type

File extension pds is also used for the Planetary Data System picture image file format.

The Planetary Data System (PDS) is an archive of data products from NASA planetary missions, which is sponsored by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

PDS4 (Planetary Data System version 4) is the latest standard used by NASA's Planetary Data System for archiving and distributing scientific data from planetary missions. It's a highly structured, XML-based standard designed to ensure long-term usability and accessibility of data.

Characteristics of PDS4:

  • XML-Based Labels: Uses XML to create detailed labels that describe the content and context of the data, including its origin, structure, and format.
  • Standardization: Ensures uniformity in data representation, making it easier for scientists to understand and use data from different missions.
  • Rich Metadata: Provides comprehensive metadata that describes the scientific and technical aspects of the data.
  • Data Format: While metadata is in XML, the actual data (like images) can be in different formats, often binary for efficiency in storing large images.

Updated: January 23, 2024

The default software associated to open pds file:

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) logoNASAView  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

NASAView is a PDS archive product display program. It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris.

Help how to open:

NasaView, or NASA PSD4 tools are the default choices for reading .pds files.

How to convert:

Export to FITS format is often supported, not so to standard graphics images.

Find conversions from pds file:

pds to avi

pds to jpg

pds to mov

pds to mp3

pds to mp4

pds to pdf

pds to wmv

List of software applications associated to the .pds file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open pds file, edit pds file, convert pds file, view pds file, play pds file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting pds files.

Software that open pds file - Planetary Data System graphic image

Programs supporting the exension pds on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about NASA PDS4 Tools for open pds file action.

Microsoft Windows:

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