Author | Arthur C. Clarke |
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Cover artist | Terry Oakes |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Victor Gollancz (UK) Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (US) |
Publication date | 1979 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Pages | 256 |
ISBN | 0-575-02520-4 |
OCLC | 4993570 |
The Fountains of Paradise is a 1979 science fiction novel by British writer Arthur C. Clarke. Set in the 22nd century, it describes the construction of a space elevator. This "orbital tower" is a giant structure rising from the ground and linking with a satellite in geostationary orbit at the height of approximately 36,000 kilometres (approx. 22,300 miles). Such a structure would be used to raise payloads to orbit without the expense of using rockets. The novel won both the Hugo[1] and Nebula[2] Awards for Best Novel.