Arthur C. Clarke, the last of the original big three science fiction writers has passed away after completing 90 trips around the sun.  Apart from his writings, like The Sentinel and the three following books, ending with 3001 and many more, he was the originator of the idea of communications satellites , much like we find in orbit today.  The geosynchronous orbit that is called the Clarke orbit, in fact.  He was involved in many of the ‘pie in the sky’ projects that are currently being researched today, including the Space Elevator.  He will be missed.