Since vegetation is largely isolated to the coastal fringe, and instrument records only extend back 50 years with limited spatial resolution, new methods of determining the location, spatial extent, and dynamics of moss beds are urgently required to resolve the extent to which Antarctic coastal climate is changing. The scale,and scattered spatial distribution, of the moss beds (tens of m2)makes even very high spatial resolution satellite imagery (pixelsize of 0.5 m) unsuitable for mapping their extent in sufficient detail. Due to logistical and weather constraints full-scale aerial photography is impractical in Antarctica and is also not detailed enough. One of the key requirements for mapping the distribution of Antarctic moss beds is the acquisition of ultra-high spatial resolution imagery, e.g. 10 cm pixel size or better, in order to capture the fine-scale spatial variability of moss health. In addition, a digital elevation model (DEM) at high resolution is required, to capture the micro-topography of small channels, rocks and boulders that affect water flow from snowmelt.