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seabirds skimming ocean surface

Ocean Vector Winds »

When wind blows across our ocean, it roughens its surface. Some instruments in Earth's orbit can retrieve energy pulses scattered off ocean waves. The resulting patterns reveal the speed and direction of winds. »

Space Truthing Ocean Wind? »

A mystery arises while calibrating wind from our seas and space »

Current Thinking »

How does feedback from the upper ocean impact air-sea interactions? »

Ocean Winds & Microplastics »

Connected in surprising ways »

Vexed by HEX »

Driven by winds, our sea levels can hit high extremes »

Beyond the Blob »

Marine heatwaves... all around us! »

Ocean currents can influence winds far above Earth's surface

Turns Out that Ocean Motion Impacts Winds »

Ocean currents can influence winds far above Earth's surface »

A wind swept ocean wave with sea spray flying off of the peak of the wave. Mountains silhouette the background.

Salt & the Wind »

Exploring ties between wind, ocean layers and dissolved salt in our seas »

setting sun over the ocean

Marine Heatwaves »

Influenced by ocean winds, these extreme events are becoming more frequent. »

PACE emblem

Decades of Teamwork »

A new team has been selected by NASA to continue the work of previous researchers. This group also brings novel expertise and fresh perspectives to enhance the societal impact of ocean vector winds studies. »

PACE emblem

Hundreds of Publications »

With topics ranging from air-sea exchange at molecular scales to the global effects of El Niño, members of the Ocean Vector Winds Science Team have contributed to over 800 peer-reviewed publications. »

PACE emblem

Measurable Impact »

Data from ocean wind satellites provide a clear picture of relative wind speeds. These observations are indicative of the storm's size and strength. Moreover, ocean vector wind images tell us which direction the winds are blowing. »

Observing and interpreting winds over our ocean is one of NASA's oldest traditions.

Nearly four decades and several satellite missions later, global data records of ocean vector winds are an important backbone of scientific discovery. These records are key to understanding the interactions between huge, restless systems that drive our climate: the ocean and atmosphere.

The Ocean Vector Winds Science Team (OVWST) is an international community of scientists, government agencies, and users. Members of the OVWST have produced high-quality data streams from Earth-observing satellite missions. They have analyzed and interpreted wind-driven processes. They've improved operational modeling and forecasting applications for safer seas and coasts.

What's New

  • Space Truthing Ocean Wind?
  • 2025 International OVWST Meeting
  • Current Thinking
  • COVWR Level 2 Ocean Wind Vectors Released

Why Winds?

  • Ocean Wind
    Links Motion
    in our Seas
    & Skies
  • Wind
    Compounds
    Ocean
    Extreme
    Events
  • Wind Data
    are Crucial
    for Climate
    Research

NASA Winds Stories

See all >>

Space Truthing Ocean Wind?

Space Truthing Ocean Wind?

A mystery arises while calibrating winds from our seas and space

Current Thinking

Current Thinking

How does feedback from the upper ocean impact air-sea interactions?

Ocean Winds & Microplastics

Ocean Winds & Microplastics

Connected in surprising ways

Vexed by HEX

Vexed by HEX

Driven by winds, our sea levels can hit high extremes

Ocean Winds from Space

COVWR

COVWR

The Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer (COWVR) measures wind speed and direction from the International Space Station.

COWVR is no bigger than a minifridge. Yet it is designed to do a big job: to make the same high-quality atmospheric observations as weather satellites many times its size and at a fraction of the cost. It is considered to be a technology demonstration. However, if COWVR performs as planned, weather forecasting could be in for a big technological boost.

Read More
Cygnss

CYGNSS

The mission is comprised of eight Low Earth Orbiting spacecraft that receive both direct and reflected signals from GPS satellites.

Each satellite receives both direct GPS signals and signals reflected from the Earth's surface; the direct signals pinpoint the microsatellite position and provide a timing reference, while the reflected or "scattered" signals provide information about the condition of the sea's surface. Sea surface roughness corresponds to wind speed.

Read More
ISS-RapidScat

ISS-RAPIDSCAT

The instrument was on board the International Space Station and measured Earth's ocean surface wind speed and direction.

NASA's International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer (ISS-RapidScat) Earth science instrument had a successful two-year mission aboard the space station. ISS-RapidScat used the unique vantage point of the space station to provide near-real-time monitoring of ocean winds, which are critical in determining regional weather patterns.

Read More
SMAP

SMAP

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission retrieves soil moisture, salinity, and wind speed data.

Launched in 2015, SMAP's primary mission is measuring the water content of soil on Earth's surface, helping to improve crop yield forecasts and irrigation planning. However, SMAP data also contributes to the understanding of our ocean. How? It measures wind speed over the ocean and the concentration of dissolved salts at the sea surface (i.e., salinity).

Read More
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