The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C. Clarke
"The Fountains of Paradise" is a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke that explores humanity's ambitions to extend its presence beyond Earth, particularly through the innovative concept of a space elevator. The story follows Vannevar Morgan, a chief engineer with a notable background in large-scale construction, who faces the dual challenges of environmental sustainability and technological feasibility in his quest to build an elevator system that connects Earth to space. Set against the backdrop of the fictional land of Taprobane, the narrative introduces a community of Buddhist monks who initially oppose the project, viewing it as a hubristic endeavor reminiscent of the Tower of Babel. The tale unfolds with a blend of engineering challenges, natural obstacles, and mystical events, including a significant storm that alters the monks' perceptions.
As Morgan navigates these hurdles, including the dangers posed by the ionosphere and meteor showers during construction, he ultimately embarks on a perilous rescue mission that leads to his demise. The novel concludes with a forward-looking perspective, illustrating a future where the space elevator becomes a reality, enabling the migration of millions to a new habitat in orbit. Through its themes of ambition, cooperation, and the interplay between technology and nature, "The Fountains of Paradise" presents a thought-provoking vision of humanity's quest for exploration and its implications for the future.
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The Fountains of Paradise
First published: 1979
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—technocratic
Time of work: Primarily the late twenty-second century, with flashbacks and flashforwards
Locale: Southwest Asia and various Earth orbits
The Plot
Arthur C. Clarke posits in this novel that humankind will continue to explore the solar system and even establish a permanent presence on the Moon, Mercury, and Mars. The shuttles and rockets used to gain access to these new frontiers, however, will prove to be too expensive, inefficient, and destructive of the environment. A better way will have to be found to get people and material off the surface of Earth and into space.
Vannevar Morgan is the chief engineer (Land) of the Terran Construction Corporation. His primary claim to fame is building the Gibraltar Bridge, which spanned the fifteen kilometers across the Strait of Gibraltar in 2140. The ultimate challenge of his career becomes the creation of an elevator system linking Earth to space.
The first obstacle to be overcome is a community of Buddhist monks established at the top of Sri Kanda in the fictional southwest Asian land of Taprobane. Because of its height and equatorial location, this mountain is the ideal ground base for the Space Elevator. Unfortunately, the monks see the project as another Tower of Babel, demonstrating the futility of human pride. They refuse to budge.
A consortium of investors from Mars comes to the rescue. They invite Morgan to realize his dream on their planet, and he agrees. A demonstration of the basic principle involved is planned in order to attract additional funding. Forty thousand kilometers of hyperfilament thread are to be dropped from a satellite in geostationary Earth orbit. A freak storm keeps the test from being completely successful, but it also has a mystical effect on the community of monks. Their ancient prophecy is fulfilled when golden butterflies swarm the top of Sri Kanda. The monks drop their opposition to the Space Elevator and turn the mountain over to the Morgan team.
Work on the colossal project begins. Nature, the other major obstacle to success, mounts its inevitable challenges. In addition to storms in the atmosphere and the constant dangers of construction at high elevations, the upper reaches of the Tower have to contend with meteor showers and with gales of charged particles in the unpredictable ionospheric weather. These elements conspire to strand a small party of workers and researchers twenty-five thousand kilometers above the ground.
Morgan insists on taking the leading role in the rescue operation. He must ascend the incredible height of the unfinished Tower in a service vehicle called a spider and deliver vital supplies to the threatened group. He succeeds, but nature in the guise of time intervenes. Before Morgan can return safely to the surface, the stress takes its toll on him in his advanced age, and he dies of a heart attack.
The narrative flashes forward to the far future to provide assurances to the reader that the project eventually succeeds. A number of other Orbital Towers are built, and half a billion people ascend them to take up permanent residence in the Ring City that is constructed above and around the Earth.