The space age was born with the Soviet Union's launch of the first Sputnik in 1957, and Americans went space crazy. While many feared the Russian's superior technology and questionable intentions, many others reveled in the new world opening up before us. Orbital ovals replaced circles, star burst clocks appeared on walls and cars sprouted rocket tail fins nearly four feet high. This Oklahoma drive-in hamburger stand speaks of that era, not only in its name but with its elliptical signs and Jetsons' style architecture as well.

Looking through the windows, with their thick film of red dust, I could see the glasses and plates neatly stacked on the counter. The refrigerator stood unplugged with its door propped open to prevent mold. Although it had been abandoned for several years it gave the impression that the owners had just closed for the winter with every intention of opening up again in the spring. Unfortunately for them, with the new interstate highway just a few miles away, there wasn¹t enough traffic left on the old road to make the business work. Today, the Satellite remains frozen as it waits for a spring that will never come.