ASCAT - Metop's advanced scatterometer

ASCAT is an advanced scatterometer that will fly as part of the payload of the Metop satellites, which in turn form part of the Eumetsat Polar System. It is developed by Dornier Satellitensysteme under the leadership of Matra Marconi Space**, the satellite Prime Contractor, for ESA. From its polar o rbit, ASCAT will measure sea-surface winds in two 500 km wide swaths and wi ll achieve global coverage in a period of just five days.