It was a pity that there was no radar to guide one across the trackless seas of life. Every man had to find his own way, steered by some secret compass of the soul. And sometimes, late or early, the compass lost its power and spun aimlessly on its bearings. Alan Bishop

In his biography of Stanley Kubrick John Baxter cites Clarke's homosexuality as a reason why he relocated due to more tolerant laws with regard to homosexuality in Sri Lanka. Concept of the geostationary communications satellite

Clarke contributed to the popularity of the idea that geostationary satellites would be ideal telecommunications relays. After a drawn-out development process – which Freeman attributed to difficulties in getting financing – it appeared that in 2003 this project might be proceeding but this is very dubious.

Clarke served in the Royal Air Force as a radar instructor and technician from 1941 to 1946. That year he discovered the underwater ruins of the ancient Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee. In 1956 Clarke emigrated to Sri Lanka largely to pursue his interest in scuba diving.