A brief introduction is given to the field of remote measurement of the surface wind vector field over the ocean using radar scatterometry from satellites. A summary of the physical processes involved in the measurement is given, together with a review of recent studies to employ these data in numerical weather prediction modelling, and suggestions are advanced for some future simulation studies. The emphasis here is on the data obtained by SEASAT. The intent is that such data may be used to develop and refine integrated analysis programmes that can take increased advantage of the scatterometer data streams that are planned to be available from ERS-1 and N-ROSS commencing in 1989.