Few writers of science fiction have made a contribution to the world of science fact comparable to that of Arthur C. Clarke. His essay on extra-terrestrial relays, published in "Wireless World" in 1945, foreshadowed the development of communications satellites, and his writings on all aspects of space exploration and life in space have strongly influenced the way in which we view what lies beyond Earth's atmosphere, while his fiction has sought to bring the future vividly to life. This collection of essays brings together some of Clarke's best factual writing.