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A description of the early days of infrared site testing at the South Pole is given, with special attention paid to the data which quantified the conditions during summer and the long twilight period. Such times are also provide relatively benign conditions for humans in Antarctica as well. We show that they are favourable for many observing programs that require the thermal infrared, and then discuss a number of specific projects that could be undertaken. Such projects might mark the first to be conducted with any new telescope in Antarctica, as they would enable science to be carried out during the commissioning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we review the progress towards the deployment of a large "PILOT-like" telescope at Concordia Station, Dome C. PILOT is a proposed 2.4 m optical/IR telescope that will cost in excess of EUR 10 m, and is thus representative of the scale of facility that will transform Concordia into a significant international observatory. A design study of PILOT, funded by the Australian government, is currently underway. We describe the current status of this design study, and discuss the implications that major international projects such as PILOT hold for the future of Antarctic astronomy at Concordia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]