Sixty-two years ago Arthur C. Clarke of the British Interplanetary Society sent a letter to the editor titled Peacetime Uses for V2 which was published in the 1945 February issue of the Wireless World magazine suggesting the use of Geostationary Satellites for the instant global communications. Quoting,
“I would like to close by mentioning a possibility of the more remote future--perhaps half a century ahead. An ``artificial satellite'' at the correct distance from the earth would make one revolution every 24 hours; i.e., it would remain stationary above the same spot and would be within optical range of nearly half the earth's surface. Three repeater stations, 120 degrees apart in the correct orbit, could give television and microwave coverage to the entire planet.”
Today, the Clarke Orbit has over 330 satellites. Sir Arthur C. Clarke, a science-fiction author, inventor, and futurist, simply a great mind celebrates his 90th birth anniversary on 16th of December, 2007.
And as a big fan of his writing and admirer of his work, I have put up a blog where everyone could send him wishes for his 90th birthday. If you are a friend, colleague, fan or simply an earthling who admires the work of Sir Arthur Clarke, please write your greetings and good wishes on the blog as a comment.
Let us wish together for a healthy and a long life for Sir Arthur.
Please be sure to leave your name and country end of your message.
Regards,
Thilina Heenatigala
General Secretary
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
http://aalk.lakdiva.net
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