QuikSCAT
Quick Scatterometer
past Mission
Type
Orbiter
Launch
June 19, 1999
Target
Earth
Objective
Study ocean winds to enhance environmental predictions and weather forecasting
Designed to be a “quick recovery” mission to fill the gap after oceanographic satellite NSCAT failed in June 1997, QuikSCAT measured ocean winds and directions, covering more than 90% of the ice-free oceans every day for more than 10 years – far exceeding its three-year life expectancy.
![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/missionswebquickscat-l4ad92d.height-1024-jpg.webp?w=4096&format=png)
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