Solomon's Orbit

"Solomon's Orbit" by William Carroll is a quirky science fiction story set in the middle of the twentieth century, following the exploits of Solomon, an unconventional junkyard owner who stumbles upon a bizarre yet effective way to launch vehicles into orbit using modified auto engines, sparking the interest of both American and Russian officials. The tale is a humorous exploration of an accidental invention made in California that sends old cars soaring into the skies. While trying to understand Solomon's bizarre accomplishment, both U.S. government agents and their counterparts from Russia become deeply involved and concerned after seeing vehicles vanish suddenly. The story is infused with a sense of fun, poking fun at the Cold War space race, government paranoia, and the unexpected global impact that an ordinary man's hobby can have.