The QuikSCAT scatterometer provides global daily coverage of oceanic near-surface vector winds. Recently, algorithms have been developed to enhance the spatial resolution of QuikSCAT winds from 25~km to 2.5~km posting. These ultra-high resolution winds are used, in comparison with standard L2B data product winds, to observe and track tropical cyclones. Resolution enhanced winds are found to provide additional storm structure such as inner core size and structure and the presence of multiple eyewalls compared with standard resolution winds. The 2.5~km winds are also able to observe storms nearer to the shore than 25~km winds. An analysis of circulation center locatability with each resolution wind field is performed. Center fixes with enhanced resolution winds are nearer the National Hurricane Center best-track positions than are standard resolution center fixes. A data and image set of every tropical cyclone worldwide observed by Seawinds on QuikSCAT or SeaWinds on ADEOS II from 1999 through 2005 is generated and made available to the scientific community at http://scp.byu.edu.

Satellite wind vector data is integral to atmospheric models and forecasts. Currently, the limited refresh rate of global wind vector measurement systems makes it difficult to observe diurnal variation of mesoscale processes. Using advancements in the underlying subsystem technologies, new satellite wind scatterometers may be possible that increase temporal resolution, among other performance metrics. I propose a method for parametrically modeling the extreme performance range of a complex system. I use this method to develop a model of the space of possible satellite wind scatterometer designs. I validate the model using point designs of heritage scatterometers. Finally, I present two example concepts for constellations of cooperative satellite wind scatterometers capable of measuring global ocean surface vector winds every hour for the same total cost as a single heritage scatterometer.