This project aims to investigate the quality of ASCAT measurements as well as their use for oceanographic purposes. The accuracy of ASCAT retrievals will be mainly based on the use of collocated data from moored buoys, numerical weather prediction models, and satellites. The resulting collocated data will be used to explore the accuracy of the geophysical model function which relates the backscatter coefficients to surface wind vectors, as well as to assess the quality of ASCAT vector winds at global and local scales. Once this objective reached, it will enable to fully utilize the MetOp data for oceanographic applications. They will contribute to evaluate various estimates of ocean surface flux parameters required to force ocean general circulation models. The estimation of global vector wind fields and wind stress, latent and sensible heat fluxes and ocean precipitation with both high spatial resolution and time sampling will be given special attention. Also, scatterometers have demonstrated their ability to monitor sea ice coverage, age and drift. ASCAT backscatter coefficient will be processed for sea ice geophysical interpretation in order to increase the long time series of ice parameters already available.