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In this course, you’ll learn how to search for, filter, view, and download NASA Earth datasets directly within QGIS—without any programming. The plugin gives you fast and seamless access to Earthdata within your existing GIS workflow, including the ability to highlight selected footprints and clear search results without resetting your settings. Thanks to the built-in update checker, you can always work with the latest version of the plugin with just one click.
Would you like to learn how to easily access high-quality satellite and Earth observation data from NASA, directly within your GIS environment? In the QGIS NASA Earthdata course, you’ll learn how to search, filter, view, and download NASA Earthdata using QGIS—without any programming. You’ll discover how to efficiently use global datasets for analysis, monitoring, and research.
QGIS is a powerful open-source GIS platform for analyzing and visualizing geographic data. In this course, you’ll build on your QGIS fundamentals and learn to work with the NASA Earthdata QGIS plugin. You’ll gain insight into the Earthdata ecosystem and learn how to select relevant datasets based on space, time, and theme, fully integrated into your existing GIS workflow.
Working with NASA Earthdata goes beyond simply downloading data. You will learn how to interpret footprints and metadata, how to preview datasets, and how to effectively combine different types of Earth observation data (such as climate, atmospheric, land, and ocean data) with other GIS layers. This ensures that you always work with suitable and reliable source data.
In QGIS NASA Earthdata, you’ll learn how to practically apply satellite and Earth observation data in analyses and projects, such as environmental research, climate studies, spatial planning, or education. The course demonstrates how to quickly access NASA data using open-source tools, without complex portals or external software.
Please note! Prior knowledge of QGIS is required for this course. Check out the QGIS Basic Training for more information.
In this course, you’ll learn step-by-step how to use NASA Earthdata within QGIS. You’ll start with the basics: what NASA Earthdata is, what types of datasets are available, and how the QGIS plugin works.
Next, you’ll get hands-on experience with:
You’ll learn not only how to retrieve data, but also how to select and apply it responsibly.
This course is unique because it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for NASA Earthdata for GIS users. No complex web interfaces or scripts, but direct access to global Earth observation data within QGIS.
You will learn, among other things:
The course is practical, open source, and focused on direct applicability in realistic GIS scenarios.
This course is intended for GIS users who want to work with up-to-date and reliable satellite and Earth observation data. Do you work in the environment, climate, land use planning, water management, agriculture, research, education, or cartography? Then this course offers immediate value.
You need basic knowledge of QGIS, but no experience with remote sensing or programming. Do you want to quickly and efficiently utilize NASA data within your GIS projects? Then QGIS NASA Earthdata is a logical next step.
The first day is dedicated to understanding the NASA Earthdata ecosystem and working with the NASA Earthdata QGIS plugin within QGIS. You will learn what types of Earth observation data are available, how to search for and filter datasets by location, time, and theme, and how to interpret metadata and footprints. You will then get hands-on experience previewing, selecting, and downloading NASA datasets and loading them correctly into QGIS
On day two, the focus is on applying NASA Earthdata in substantive GIS analyses. You will learn how to combine Earthdata with existing vector and raster layers, how to use temporal dimensions, and how to prepare data for further analysis, visualization, or monitoring. In addition, you will work on practical workflows that utilize NASA data for topics such as the environment, climate, land use, or water. By the end of the day, you will be able to independently and efficiently integrate Earthdata into your daily GIS tasks and projects.
Do you have questions about the course content? Or are you unsure whether the course aligns with your learning goals or preferences? Would you prefer an in-house or private course? We’d be happy to help.
No, you work entirely within QGIS using the NASA Earthdata QGIS plugin. No programming experience is required.
A basic understanding of QGIS is sufficient, such as working with vector and raster layers. Knowledge of remote sensing is not required. If you are not yet familiar with QGIS, check out our basic QGIS course
You'll have access to a wide range of NASA Earth Observation data, including climate, atmospheric, land, water, and ocean datasets.
Yes, the downloaded datasets can be used directly in QGIS and are suitable for analysis, monitoring, reporting, education, and research.
