PPS Research

How to Access Research GPM / TRMM Data from the PPS

Due to NASA network policies the NASA Precipitation Processing System (PPS) will be transitioning from FTP to FTPS for access to download GPM and TRMM data. As a result of this change, users may need to update the methods they use to download data.

1. Register for the PPS 

   • IMPORTANT: Visit this URL to register or update your email and info: http://registration.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/registration/
   • Use of the PPS FTP to download GPM and TRMM data is free, but you are required to first register your email address. This allows the PPS to track usage statistics and send useful messages about the satellite and data availability. Once you have registered and verified your email address, return to this page to continue to the FTP to download data. 
   • If you need access to the near-realtime (NRT) GPM files on https://jsimpson.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov, please be sure to check the box labelled "Near-Realtime Products". Otherwise you will be unable to log in to the NRT server.
   • Once registered, your email address will serve as both your username AND password for logging into the FTP site. Email addresses are converted to lower case when registering, so please enter your username and password in lowercase as well.

2. Accessing Research GPM / TRMM Data Using HTTPS (web browser)

   • Visit: https://arthurhou.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/
   • Enter your registered email address as both the username and password.

3. Layout of the Arthurhou server directory structure

   • /gpmdata contains the latest version of available data products. 

     Directories are laid out as:

     /gpmdata/documents ****!!!! Please review the contents of this directory. It contains important data notices and caveats !!!!****
     /gpmdata/geolocation  contains geolocation related files
     /gpmdata/coincidence contains satellite-ground coincidence information
     /gpmdata/browse contains PNG browse images of products.

     Data products exist under:
     /gpmdata/YYYY/MM/DD/

       base/reg  - 1B base radiometer products
       1B    - 1B radiometer products for GPMcore and all partners
       1C    - 1C radiometer products for GPMcore and all partners
       radar - L2 and L3 products from DPR and Combined
       gprof - L2 and L3 products from GPROF for GPMcore and all partners
       imerg - IMERG products

4. Advanced Users: Accessing Research GPM / TRMM Data With an Automated Script (e.g. wget)

   • A listing of every data file on the server in text format is available at: https://arthurhou.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/text/
   • You can crawl this "/text" directory to determine the file names and locations for download.

5. Advanced Users: Accessing Research GPM / TRMM Data With FTPS

   • Due to NASA network policies the NASA Precipitation Processing System (PPS) has transitioned from FTP to FTPS for access to download GPM and TRMM data. Due to these changes users will no longer be able to access the PPS FTPS servers using a web browser, so users that prefer FTP to the above methods must now use either the command line or dedicated file transfer software.
   • One piece of software that can be used to connect to the new FTPS servers is Filezilla, which is free and open source, and is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux operative systems. Filezilla can be downloaded here: https://filezilla-project.org/
   • NASA does not explicitly endorse the use of any particular piece of software and cannot provide detailed technical support for this software, but these instructions are provided in case they are useful to the end user. 
   • 
   • NOTE these directions are for the Near-realtime "JSimpson" server, but the same applies for "Arthurhou" - just change the URL to arthurhouftps.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov as appropriate
   • Open Filezilla
   • Go to "File" -> "Site Manager"
   • Click on "New Site" to set up a new connection to the PPS FTP server.
   • In the text box enter the name you would like to call this saved connection (i.e. "Jsimpson FTPS")
   • Leave "Protocol" set to the default ("FTP - File Transfer Protocol")
   • In "Host", enter "jsimpsonftps.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov"
   • Leave "Port" set to blank
   • In "Encryption" set to "Use explicit TLS over FTP if available"
   • Leave "Logon Type" set to "Normal"
   • In both the "User" and "Password" fields, enter the email address that you have registered with the PPS. If you have not yet registered with the PPS, please do so here: https://registration.pps.eosdis.nasa.gov/registration/
   • Click "Connect" to connect to the server. You can then use this bookmark you have created in future sessions by going to "Site Manager", clicking on the site, and clicking "Connect"