Regarding the flap over NHC Director Bill Proenza's announcement that QuikSCAT could fail at any moment, NOAA has published this "Feel Good" press release:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/s2879.htm.
A quote from the release...
"Additionally, NESDIS processes data from other spacecraft, such as NASA’s research QuikSCAT satellite, which is used in hurricane forecast models. “Our forecasters are using research tools like QuickSCAT to develop enhanced forecast models,” said Mary Glackin, acting director of the NOAA National Weather Service."
As a coastal resident, I feel much better knowing that if or when QuikSCAT fails, directors will still be using data from the satellite to keep me informed.