Work

Design and implementation of a robust data logging and satellite telemetry system for remote cryospheric research

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: . Scientific research frequently requires data acquisition and transmission from remote environments, requiring robust, autonomous solutions capable of operating in extreme environmental conditions with minimal maintenance. This study presents the design and implementation of a data logging and telemetry system deployed in the Western Cwm of Mount Everest, Nepal, to transmit several meteorological parameters from an automatic weather station and firn layer temperatures obtained from a suite of borehole thermistors. Drawing on recent advances in satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, we present the successful integration and deployment of Campbell Scientific data loggers with Ground Control’s compact satellite-enabled RockREMOTE Mini, which uses the Iridium Certus 100 networks and is powered by Iridium’s 9770 modem. The complete system, which operated at 6,660 m a.s.l, in an extremely cold climate with a limited sky-view factor due to the steep surrounding terrain, provided continual monitoring of ice temperatures and meteorological conditions transmitted every 24 hours, from May 4 to August 10, 2025. Data integrity and transmission reliability were consistently maintained despite the harsh weather conditions and limited power availability. This integrated system established a robust methodological framework for other researchers working in remote locations, demonstrating the potential for sustained and high temporal resolution measurements of environmental conditions in locations where traditional communication infrastructure is unavailable.

Source: Geoscientific instrumentation, methods and data systems

DOI: 10.5194/gi-15-75-2026