Posted: Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 7:32 AM ET (1132 GMT)
Arthur C. Clarke, the legendary science fiction author and inventor of the concept of the geosynchronous communications satellite, passed away Wednesday in Sri Lanka at the age of 90. Clarke is best known as the author of over 100 books and numerous short stories, most notably 2001, which became an iconic film. His vision of spaceflight and exploration has been cited by many in the space industry as a key inspiration. Clarke also published a paper in 1945 where he described how satellites placed in geosynchronous orbit could be used as communications relays, an application that is one of the most common uses of satellites today.

Related Links:

•  BBC article
•  AP article
•  SPACE.com article
•  New York Times article
•  ABC News article