The Jameson Satellite

"The Jameson Satellite" by Neil R. Jones is a science fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The story explores themes of mortality, preservation, and the potential for humanity to transcend earthly limitations through technology. The narrative follows Professor Jameson, who devises a plan to preserve his body in space after death, ultimately becoming a satellite orbiting the Earth for millions of years. In the book, Professor Jameson, having accepted his impending demise, builds a rocket to preserve his body, which then becomes a satellite of Earth. Millions of years later, a race of mechanical beings called the Zoromes discovers his rocket while exploring the solar system. They revive his long-dead brain, transforming him into a mechanical form. The professor grapples with the profound changes on Earth and reflects on the fate of humanity, which has long since perished. Ultimately, he chooses to accompany the Zoromes in their explorations rather than remain on the dying world, embracing the adventure of immortality among the stars. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Neil Ronald Jones was an American writer who worked for the state of New York. His first story, "The Death's Head Meteor", was published in Air Wonder Stories in 1930, possibly recording the first use of "astronaut" in fiction. He also pioneered cyborg and robotic characters, and is credited with inspiring the modern idea of cryonics. Most of his stories fit into a "future history" like that of Robert A. Heinlein or Cordwainer Smith, well before either of them used this convention in their fiction.