NASA Earthdata Search is a map-based search and order tool, allowing you to search for ICESat/GLAS data based on spatial and temporal constraints. Additionally, you can subset files based on spatial bounding box, parameter, and temporal range, as well as reformat the data to ASCII. 

Step 1: From https://search.earthdata.nasa.gov/, enter the data short name of interest into the search bar. 

The ICESat/GLAS HDF5 data sets are listed at http://nsidc.org/data/icesat/data.html. The short names are included in parentheses at the end of the data set title (for example, GLAH14). If you are interested in more than one data set, or if you'd like to browse all available GLAS HDF5 data sets, type "GLAH" into the search bar which will return all ICESat/GLAS HDF5 data sets. 

Step 2: Filter results by spatial or temporal constraints

If you are interested in filtering the data by a time period or region of interest, you can use the Temporal and Spatial filter options next to the search bar at the top of the page. 

Step 3: Add the data sets (collections) of interest to your project by clicking on the green '+' symbol on the far right side of the data set listing. Next, click on the gray "My Project" button at the top right of the page. 

Step 4: Click on the green "Download Project Data" button.

Step 5: You will be directed to the Earthdata Login authentication page. Enter your Earthdata Login username and password, or register for a new account if needed. You will then land on the Data Access page, providing information on the data granules requested and data access methods. Under "Select Data Access Method" click on the "Customize Product" radio button, which will allow you to request data subsetting and reformatting services. 

Step 6: Click on the blue "Continue" button at the bottom of the form. If you have more than one data set in your Project, repeat Step 5. Click on the blue "Submit" button once you are ready to submit your request. If your request exceeds 2000 granules, the order will be separated into 2000 granule chunks.

Step 7: Your request will begin to process. You will receive an email indicating that your request is pending, and you will receive an additional email with information on how to retrieve your files when the processing is complete. You can also download your order directly from Earthdata Search when complete.

If you are interested in accessing these services programmatically using an API endpoint, please see the following guide:

How do I programmatically request data services (e.g. subsetting, reformatting, reprojection) using an API?

Last Updated July 2017