This ASCAT Multi-parameter product contains surface wind vectors over ocean and soil moisture index over land. Additionally, the backscatter values involved in the retrieval of the geophysical parameters above are also included, as well as several quality flags to facilitate the use of the data. For NWP users this product is provided in BUFR format. The netCDF version of this product contains Winds ONLY. For users interested in either ASCAT backscatter, wind or soil moisture index data in other formats, please refer to the relevant product entries available for the specific parameters. Finally, note that although the OSI SAF is identified as the originating centre for this product, it is not responsible for the processing of soil moisture index values, which is currently carried out at EUMETSAT. These data are only available in the Data Centre as of 28/02/2011. Archived NRT data before that date can be requested from the OSI SAF helpdesk. Even more important: for Metop-A it is recommended that the reprocessed ASCAT winds data records (10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0006) are used instead of this archived NRT product for the period before 1 April 2014.Metop-A data are available in the Data Centre up to 15/11/2021.