Final answer:
Arthur C. Clarke is the author who conceived of geostationary orbits before their applications were fully considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author who conceived of geostationary orbits before their applications were fully considered is Arthur C. Clarke. In his 1945 essay titled "Extra-Terrestrial Relays," Clarke proposed using geostationary satellites for global communication purposes. He envisioned satellites placed in a specific orbit around 22,500 miles above the Earth's equator, where they would remain stationary relative to the Earth's surface. This idea proved to be revolutionary and became the foundation for the modern satellite communication industry.