The book tells about one of the brightest areas in the history of unpublished cosmonautics - the creation and development of lunar projects, their implementation in the Soviet Union. For this, the author chose an essay on the stages preceding this, on the figures and achievements of Russian scientists and engineers in the 19th-20th centuries, on the powerful development of missile research in the period before World War II and especially upon its completion. A special place is given to the activities of Soviet scientific and industrial organizations, military institutions and structures during the preparation and implementation of lunar missions.