We discuss a technique for validation of instrument radiometric calibration using the surface of Antarctica. The proposed method involves comparing remotely-sensed radiances with predictions from a radiative transfer model, and is applicable to polar-orbiting instruments measuring in the wavelength range 335 nm to 650 nm. Coincident ground measurements are not necessary. We have estimated uncertainties in the method using existing ground measurements and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometers (TOMS) data. Significant sources of uncertainty include ground-measurement accuracy (1 %), seasonal and spatial surface variation (0.5 %), and radiative-transfer modelling (2 %).