RapidScat计划于2014年6月6日发射,用于增进人们对全球海风的数据记录。这些数据对气候研究、天气和海况预报、跟踪热带风暴和飓风都具有关键性的作用。RapidScat将搭乘“龙”飞船升空,最终安装到空间站飞行,这比研发一颗自由飞行卫星的费用低了一个数量级。对海面风速和风向进行持续观测,可以帮助预报员们发现风暴形成条件,还能使科学家们了解大气和海况的相互作用,这对全球环境都造成了影响。而在低地球轨道上进行观测,是最有效的手段。美国曾发射并运行quikscat卫星,该卫星在2009年由于星 RapidScat is scheduled to launch on June 6, 2014 to enhance data logging of the global winds. These data are key to climate research, weather and sea state forecasting, tracking tropical storms and hurricanes. RapidScat will take the “Dragon” spacecraft to launch, eventually installed in the space station flight, which is an order of magnitude lower than the cost of developing a free-flying satellite. Continued observations of wind speed and direction at sea surface can help forecasters find storm formation conditions and enable scientists to understand the interactions between atmosphere and sea conditions that have an impact on the global environment. Observations on low Earth orbit are the most effective means. The United States had launched and operated the quikscat satellite in 2009 due to the star