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Black Marble Nighttime Blue/Yellow Composite (Day/Night Band) false-color image shows Typhoon Khanun nearing Taiwan on August 2, 2023.
True color corrected reflectance image of dust blowing off the coast of Namibia and South Africa on June 27, 2022
False-color (Bands 7-2-1) corrected reflectance image from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite showing iceberg A23a in the Southern Ocean, Antarctica on November 15, 2023

LANCE

Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation

NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE) supports users interested in monitoring a wide variety of natural and human-created phenomena using near real-time (NRT) data and imagery that are made available much quicker than routine processing allows.

Most LANCE data products are available within 3 hours from satellite observation, with imagery generally available 3 to 5 hours after an observation through Worldview and GIBS. If latency is not a primary concern, users are encouraged to use standard science products, which are created using the best available ancillary, calibration, and ephemeris information.

Get Active Fire Data

The Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) provides access to satellite imagery, active fire/hotspots, and related products to identify the location, extent, and intensity of wildfire activity.

Access FIRMS Data
Access LANCE NRT data

Featured LANCE Learning Resources

LANCE was established to meet the timely needs of applications such as facilitating numerical weather and climate prediction; forecasting and monitoring natural hazards, assessing ecological/invasive species, agriculture, and air quality; providing help with disaster relief; and ensuring homeland security. If latency is not a primary concern, users are encouraged to use the standard science products, which are created using the best available ancillary, calibration, and ephemeris information. 

Differences between LANCE NRT and Standard Products

 
AIRS NRT

Near real-time (NRT) data products from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provide 3D measurements of temperature, water vapor, trace gases, and surface and cloud properties through the atmospheric column. NRT AIRS data are available through NASA LANCE generally within 75 to 140 minutes of satellite observation. AIRS is a key tool for weather forecasts and research on greenhouse gas distribution. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search, or by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites below; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview.    

ICESat-2 NRT

The Advanced Topographic Altimeter System (ATLAS) on the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) measures surface heights across the world’s frozen regions, forests, lakes, urban areas, and more. The standard product latency is 45 days, on average. Sea ice height (ATL07QL), land and vegetation height (ATL08QL), atmospheric layer characteristics (ATL09QL), sea ice freeboard (ATL10QL), and inland surface water data (ATL13QL) are available through NASA LANCE at an expedited latency (Quick Looks) of approximately three days. Quick Look data support a variety of users and applications, including sea ice forecasting and decision-making related to vegetation, surface water and flooding, and land surface deformation. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview.    

MLS NRT

The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument aboard NASA’s Aura satellite acquires measurements of atmospheric composition, temperature, humidity, and cloud ice. Near real-time (NRT) MLS data are available through NASA LANCE generally within 45 to 140 minutes of satellite observation. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search, or by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites below; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview. 

MODIS NRT

Near real-time (NRT) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data products include land surface temperature, land surface reflectance, radiances, clouds/aerosols, water vapor, active fire, snow cover, and sea ice. They are provided by the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) and made available through NASA LANCE generally within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation. 

NRT production acquires session-based L0 files from the EOS Data and Operations System (EDOS); the end of a session is available within 10-30 minutes after real time. NRT production also acquires necessary ancillary products from ancillary data suppliers. However, production rules for some science codes have been relaxed with respect to these ancillary data to allow the data products to be generated within 3 hours of real time. 

All of the Level 1 (L1), L2, and L3 products generated by NRT production have been modified to add "NRT" to the filenames to distinguish NRT products from the standard forward-processed products. In addition, Digital Object Identifier (DOI) metadata have been added to all NRT products. 

Data products are archived in a rolling archive for 7+ days and are available for distribution through Earthdata Search and by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites. 

Note: LANCE Near Real Time (NRT) production maintains data products from both VIIRS and MODIS. VIIRS will provide continuity data products that will replace MODIS upon its end of life, continuing the data record through similar data products.

OMI NRT

The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard NASA's Aura satellite (launched in 2004) measures ozone from Earth's surface to top-of-atmosphere. OMI also measures sulfur dioxide (SO2), aerosols, and cloud top pressure. Near real-time (NRT) OMI data are available through NASA LANCE generally within 100 to 165 minutes after a satellite observation. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search, or by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites below; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview. 

OMPS NRT

Near real-time (NRT) data products from the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite (launched in October 2011) include total column ozone, total column sulfur dioxide (SO2), vertical ozone profile swath, and aerosol index. NRT data are available through NASA LANCE within three hours of satellite observation. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search, or by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites below; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview. 

TEMPO NRT

Near real-time (NRT) tropospheric pollution data from the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument are available through NASA LANCE, in addition to other ESDIS data distribution channels and platforms, generally within 180 minutes of satellite observation. The products are funded by the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG). 

Launched in 2023, the TEMPO instrument is deployed on a commercial geostationary satellite located about 22,000 miles above Earth’s equator at 91.0 West longitude. TEMPO makes hourly observations of tropospheric pollution, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (H2CO) across Greater North America. 

With its multi-spectral capabilities, TEMPO characterizes the boundary layer, as well as free tropospheric and stratospheric ozone. These unique measurement capabilities also allow for the retrieval of aerosol and cloud parameters. TEMPO NRT data are used to monitor real-time air quality conditions and track transport of pollution across North America. These data are a key tool for the atmospheric science and air quality management community. Data products are available for distribution through Earthdata Search; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview. 

VIIRS Land NRT

Near real-time (NRT) Land data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) and NOAA-20 (formally JPSS-1) satellites include land surface temperature, land surface reflectance, radiances, water vapor, active fire, snow cover, and sea ice. They are made available through LANCE generally within 60 to 125 minutes after a satellite observation. Data products are archived in a rolling archive for 7+ days and are available for distribution through Earthdata Search and by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview.    

  • VIIRS NRT Products
  • Data provider: MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS)
  • Download: nrt3.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov or nrt4.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov
    • S-NPP C2 Directory path:      allData/5200/product/year/dataday    or    allData/5200/product/Recent 
    •  NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) and NOAA-21 (JPSS-2) C2 Directory path:      allData/5200/product/year/dataday    or    allData/5200/product/Recent 
    • NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) and NOAA-21 (JPSS-2) C21 Directory path:      allData/5201/product/year/dataday    or    allData/5201/product/Recent 

Note: LANCE Near Real Time (NRT) production maintains data products from both VIIRS and MODIS. VIIRS will provide continuity data products that will replace MODIS upon its end of life, continuing the data record through similar data products.

VIIRS Atmosphere NRT

Near real-time (NRT) Atmosphere data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) and NOAA-20 (formally JPSS-1) satellites include cloud mask and aerosol products. Data products are archived in a rolling archive for 7+ days and are available for distribution through Earthdata Search and by direct access to the NRT HTTPS sites; many products can also be visualized in NASA Worldview. 

Note: LANCE Near Real Time (NRT) production maintains data products from both VIIRS and MODIS. VIIRS will provide continuity data products that will replace MODIS upon its end of life, continuing the data record through similar data products.
 

Read an Earthdata article celebrating LANCE's Top 10 milestones over a decade of service.

History

NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) provides a wealth of data and products supporting scientific research of the atmosphere, oceans, and land. Data from the Earth Observing System (EOS) instruments aboard the Terra, Aqua, and Aura platforms make global measurements daily. The measurements are processed into higher-level "standard" products within 8 to 40 hours of observation and then made available to users, primarily Earth science researchers.

However, application users, operational agencies, and even researchers require EOS products to support research and applications, such as numerical weather and climate prediction; forecasting and monitoring natural hazards, ecological/invasive species, agriculture, and air quality; providing help with disaster relief; and homeland security. These users often need data much sooner than routine science processing allows, usually within three hours, and are willing to trade science product quality for timely access. In response to this need, NASA developed LANCE.

Building on the existing EOSDIS near real-time (NRT) capabilities, NASA’s Earth Science Division sponsored the development of LANCE. LANCE consists of special processing elements, co-located with selected EOSDIS Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) and processing facilities. These elements process expedited data from the Earth Observing System (EOS) Data and Operations System (EDOS) using optimized science algorithms to provide data in near real-time. LANCE development is jointly sponsored by the Flight, Research and Analysis, and Applied Sciences Programs within NASA’s Earth Science Division (ESD).

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the International Space Station was decommissioned on November 16, 2023. There will be no further near real-time data from this instrument. Please see the Earthdata article Lightning Imaging Sensor's Nearly 25-Year Data Record Ends.

The processing of Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) NRT products has not resumed since the change in orbit altitude of NASA's Terra platform in October 2022, which required major updates to Level 1 and Level 2 products. The processing of MISR standard products resumed on November 1, 2023. These products are available through Earthdata search.

 

Near real-time (NRT) refers to data available 1 to 3 hours after an observation by an instrument aboard a space-based platform. Near real-time products refer to data that are made available more rapidly than routine processing allows. They are used for a range of applied sciences, decision and tactical support, monitoring, and early warning of events. 

Science quality, or higher-level standard data products, on the other hand, are an internally consistent, well-calibrated record of Earth’s geophysical properties to support science. Due to their increased processing to ensure the highest quality of accuracy and precision, they are generally available 8 to 40 hours after an instrument observation. Standard data products are available in several levels. For more information, see Data Processing Levels.

For more information about data latency, please see the Data Latency page. If latency is not a primary concern, users are encouraged to use standard science products, which are created using the best available ancillary, calibration, and ephemeris information.

Standard products corresponding to the Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE) NRT products are archived as follows:

  • Advanced Topographic Altimeter System (ATLAS) data on ICESat-2 is accessible through the NSIDC DAAC.
  • Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) standard products are available through NASA's Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC)
  • Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) standard products are available through GES DISC.
  • Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) standard atmosphere and Level 1 products are available through NASA's Level-1 and Atmosphere Archive and Distribution System DAAC (LAADS DAAC).
  • Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) standard land products are available from NASA's Land Processes DAAC (LP DAAC) and NSIDC DAAC.
  • Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) standard products are available through NASA's GES DISC
  • Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) standard products are available through NASA's GES DISC
  • Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) standard land products are available from NASA's LP DAAC and NSIDC DAAC (snow and ice).
  • Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) standard products are available through two NASA-designated data centers, Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF DAAC) and NSIDC DAAC.
  • VIIRS-Atmosphere standard products are available through NASA's LAADS DAAC via NASA's Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Land SIPS.

EOSDIS manages discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). Each DAAC processes, archives and distributes EOS science data based on discipline. They serve the user community by providing science quality products from past and present EOS missions. Other services include:

  • Help with obtaining and selecting data
  • Data-handling and visualization tools
  • Notification of data-related news
  • Technical support and referrals

 

The LANCE architecture leverages existing near real-time satellite data processing systems that are managed by the Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

LANCE elements are located at the following facilities:

  • Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer Science Investigator-led Processing System (AMSR SIPS) providing AMSR2 data and Lightning Information System (LIS) on the International Space Station (ISS)
  • Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC) providing Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) data with support from the MISR Science Computing Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
  • Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) providing Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) data via the MLS SIPS at JPL
  • Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) providing MODIS and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data
  • Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere SIPS (MOPITT SIPS) providing MOPITT data via the National Center for Atmospheric Research
  • Ozone Monitoring Instrument SIPS (OMI SIPS) providing OMI data
  • Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS SIPS) providing OMPS data
  • Suomi NPP Land SIPS providing VIIRS Land data
  • Suomi NPP Atmosphere SIPS providing VIIRS Atmosphere data

 

LANCE Architecture Aug 2024

This overview of the LANCE architecture depicts the data flow from satellite to users.

NASA supports full and open sharing of data. We ask that if you provide Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE) data to a third party, you follow the guidelines below and replicate or provide a link to our disclaimer.  View LANCE's citation and acknowledgments as part of the broader Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project Data Use Guidance.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the use of data and/or imagery from NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observations (LANCE) (https://earthdata.nasa.gov/lance), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

Disclaimer

LANCE is operated by the ESDIS Project. The information presented through LANCE, GIBS, Worldview, and FIRMS are provided “as is” and users bear all responsibility and liability for their use of data, and for any loss of business or profits, or for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of any use of, or inability to use, the data, even if NASA or ESDIS were previously advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any other claim by you or any other person. Due to the spatial resolution and other characteristics of these data, their use for tactical decision-making or informing about conditions at a local scale are not advised.

ESDIS makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, or with respect to the accuracy of or the absence or the presence or defects or errors in data, databases of other information. The designations employed in the data do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of ESDIS concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. For more information please contact Earthdata Support.

Other NRT Data

The following NRT data are also available from NASA.

Rainfall estimates - IMERG

NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) algorithm combines data from all passive-microwave instruments in the (Global Precipitation Measurement) GPM Constellation to provide rainfall estimates.

Ocean Biology Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center (OB.DAAC)

Managed by NASA's Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG), OB.DAAC is responsible for archiving satellite ocean biology data produced or collected under NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). OB.DAAC's holdings include NRT data from both NASA and partner space organizations.

Physical Oceanography DAAC (PO.DAAC)

Visualize and download NRT data for ocean and climate research from the PO.DAAC web portal.

The NRT servers provide an API that lets you access file and product information programmatically. Documentation can be referenced at LAADS Web Service API-V2.