Sir Arthur C. Clarke, CBE, FRAS, 1917-2008 British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist Awarded Sri Lanka's highest civil honor in 2005 Clarke emigrated to Sri Lanka and lived there until his death in 2008 Honored for his contribution to communication science with of the idea of the geostationary orbit Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998

Clarke's most important scientific contribution may be his idea that geostationary satellites would be ideal telecommunications relays. He described this concept in a paper titled Extra-Terrestrial Relays - Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?, published in Wireless World in October 1945. The geostationary orbit is now sometimes known as the Clarke Orbit or the Clarke Belt in his honor.

In 2005 Sri Lanka awarded Arthur C. Clarke its highest civilian award, the Sri Lankabhimanya (The Pride of Sri Lanka), for his contributions to science and technology and his commitment to his adopted country. The award was commemorated by the Sri Lankan postage shown here.

This original issue cover, personally signed by Clarke, was presented to the Satellite ARC by Wayne Houser W6VOA, a SARC member. It is on permanent display in the clubhouse on Vandenberg AFB. You may read more in the | brochure | that accompanied the issue of the postage.