Hailed by many as a visionary, Lem, or Stan as he was known in the United States, was one of Poland's most famous authors. He died in 2006 at the age of 85.
His works have been translated into dozens of languages, and some have been turned into films. The George Clooney-starring Solaris (2002), for example, is based on Lem's 1961 novel of the same title.
Lem's oeuvre, which also features short stories and philosophical essays, contains acclaimed works such as Return from the Stars, Tales of Pirx the Pilot, The Cyberiad and The Chain of Chance.
Danute Isler spoke to Robert Szaniawski, the director of the Polish Cultural Institute in New York, to find out more about Lem's legacy in the US.
Click on the audio player above to hear the interview.