Evaluation of geostationary and polar orbiting satellites to collect meteorological data from automatic stations in the Antarctic Peninsula

This paper summarizes the main results, needs and perspectives on the use of Satellite Data Collection Systems (DCS) in the Antarctic Peninsula as derived from the operation of an experimental net of five Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) installed to collect meteorological data from remote sites, during the period 1978–1984. Main logistics problems have been solved and also the maintenance of a continuous data link along the year through Landsat (initially) and GOES satellites (actually). It is hoped to solve in the near future the remaining data quality problems on the DCP sensors.