Murray Leinster 
Space Platform [EPUB ebook] 

Ever since ancient man first gazed in wonder at the stars, humanity has dreamed of traveling to outer space. Now scientists agree that space-flight may very soon become a reality. When young Joe Kenmore came to Bootstrap to install pilot gyros in the Platform he hadn’t bargained for sabotage or murder or love. But Joe learned that ruthless agents were determined to wreck the project. Joe and his companions would have to fight with their bare hands to make man’s age old dream of space travel come true.