Gateway is a 1977 science fiction novel by Frederik Pohl that won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. It is the first book in the Heechee Saga and tells the story of a future where humanity discovers an abandoned alien space station, "Gateway," filled with pre-programmed starships. Humans become "prospectors," risking their lives to pilot these ships to unknown destinations in hopes of finding valuable alien artifacts, though many never return. 
Plot summary
The setting: In a future where Earth is overpopulated and resources are scarce, humanity finds a way to survive by colonizing other planets and by prospectors who venture out from the alien space station, Gateway. 
The ships: The station contains a fleet of alien spacecraft, built by a vanished race called the Heechee. These ships are easy to operate but impossible to control, as their destinations are pre-programmed and unpredictable. 
The prospectors: Humans who volunteer to pilot these ships are called prospectors. They risk their lives for the chance of finding valuable alien artifacts that could make them rich. 
The protagonist: The story follows the life of prospector Robinette "Bob" Broadhead, who becomes rich and famous after a successful mission. However, he is haunted by the psychological trauma of his experiences and the fear of what he might have become