Do you know Arthur C Clarke?

Everyone knows more or less about satellites – or at least might have heard the name of a Satellite. But, I wonder how many of us know about Arthur C Clarke. With the successful missions of NASA’s MAVEN and ISRO’s NASA, the entire world is talking about the satellites and allied issues. Before 1945, nothing a sort of satellites existed.

It was in the year 1945 – that - an article concerning the concept of Satellites was published in the Wireless World Magazine. The article entitled “Extra Terrestrial Relays: Can Rockets Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?” - that was written by Arthur C Clarke, an ordinary man who then was serving in U.S. Air Force, turns to be the basis of entire Satellite technology.

Most of the people who read the article either might have thought that it was an imaginary article or fictitious. Nevertheless, few visionaries took it seriously and started working on the concept. It was on October 4, 1957 that the erstwhile USSR has launched the world’s first ever satellite successfully. It was named Sputnik (actual name is Sputnik Zelmi). Thereafter, the world never looked back and so many advancements have further taken place in the satellite systems making the world almost wireless. But, the visionary father Arthur C Clarke is forgotten, all the way.

Let the entire world may forget, but, we, the Hans India team remember you on the success of ISRO’s MOM mission.

Note: This is an excerpt from Dr. Suman K Kasturi’s book – “Satellite Television & the Internet: History, Development and Impact”