What if your name was already written on the planet, in rivers shaped like an “S,” coastlines bending into a “C,” lakes curling into an “O,” and you just needed a satellite to find it?
That’s Your Name in Landsat, a free NASA tool going viral around Earth Day 2026. Type any word, hit enter, and it spells your name using real satellite images of Earth.
What it is
Your Name in Landsat is a free web tool from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. Each “letter” is a real coastline, river, glacier, or mountain that naturally resembles a character from A to Z.
The images come from the Landsat program, which has been photographing Earth since 1972. That’s the longest continuous space-based record of Earth’s land in existence. It’s basically a typeface made of planet Earth.
How to use it (in 4 steps)
- Go to science.nasa.gov/specials/your-name-in-landsat/
- Type your name (A to Z only) and press Enter
- Don’t love it? Press Enter again for a fresh combination
- Hover over each letter to see exactly where on Earth it was captured, then download or share via QR code
Why it’s blowing up right now
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center promoted the tool around Earth Day 2026, and it took off because:
- Every refresh creates a unique image with different rivers and different countries
- It’s instantly shareable on Instagram and X
- Google’s Earth Day 2026 doodle used a similar concept, priming audiences for the idea
Fun fact: the tool actually launched in August 2024 for NASA’s Camp Landsat. Earth Day 2026 just made it mainstream.
Tips for a better result
- Shorter words look cleaner. 4 to 6 letters fits best
- Refresh aggressively. Some letters have a dozen variations
- Screenshot the coordinates. They make the post way more interesting
- Try your name, your nickname, and your initials. Pick the strongest layout.
The science underneath
The same satellites finding a river shaped like an “R” also track deforestation, glacier retreat, urban sprawl, and wildfire scars. NASA estimates Landsat contributed $25.6 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, and all the imagery is free for public use.
So when you generate your name, you’re playing with the same dataset climate scientists rely on every day.
FAQs
Is it free? Yes. No login, no payment.
Does it work with non-English names? A to Z English characters only for now.
Why does it look different every refresh? Each letter has multiple satellite images. The tool randomizes the pick.
Can I use it commercially? Landsat imagery is generally public domain, but check NASA’s media guidelines for paid use.
Try it: Your Name in Landsat, NASA
