A GPS Space Odyssey

When people mention Arthur C. Clarke, there is a good chance the first image his name conjures is the red eye-camera of the HAL 9000 as it methodically murders the astronauts aboard the Discovery. While 2001: A Space Odyssey certainly made an impression on an entire generation of science fiction and film fans, its author had a deeper impact on everyday life than most fans realize. Arthur C. Clarke made some impressive contributions to the field of science as well as to the field of science fiction.

Essentially, Clarke was a futurist, as well as a writer. One of his most famous conjectures involved the proposal of a global satellite communication system. Though the idea of satellite communication is de rigor now, it was considered revolutionary in 1945. Formally presenting his idea to the Franklin Institute, Clarke would go on to win the coveted Stuart Ballantine Gold Medal in 1963.

The satellite communication system he proposed has had a profound affect on our day to day lives, especially when it comes to mobile telecommunications and GPS tracking systems. A GPS device is continually relaying and receiving signals from a multitude of satellites orbiting the planet. These signals allow anyone with a GPS device to pinpoint their location anywhere in the world.

Though Clarke's influence on the science fiction community has been tremendous, his influence on the scientific community has been less lauded. During a time when the mere idea of a computer was far-fetched, Clarke's satellite proposal was considered untenable. His proposal, has he explained it, was based on the five years (from 1941-1946) he spent in service to the Royal Air Force. He claimed the idea of using satellites to gauge distance and position was influenced by the pinging phenomenon unique to radar systems.

Though often dismissed, Arthur C. Clarke was feted during his long life. He was appointed chairman of the British Interplanetary Society and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Price in 1994. in 1961, he was awarded the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. From the cloudy heights of his imagination, he gave us the notion to utilize space, whether it was for the sake of increased communications or to help us find where we are. From cellphones to GPS tracking systems, Clarke's had changed the way we live, think, and dream.

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