Autour de la Lune

In the mid‑nineteenth century a bold consortium of American artillerymen, the Gun‑Club, sets its sights on an unprecedented scientific feat: firing a massive projectile from a specially built Columbiad cannon in Florida so that it will strike the Moon at its closest approach. Engineers calculate every detail—trajectory, powder charge, and the exact dimensions of an aluminum shell—while the public contributes millions of francs to fund the venture.

When a flamboyant French adventurer, Michel Ardan, volunteers to join the mission, the plan expands to accommodate three human passengers: Ardan, the Club’s charismatic president Barbicane, and the stoic naval officer Nicholl. The projectile is reshaped into a cylindrical‑conical “air‑ship,” fitted with springs, breakable bulkheads, supplies for a year, and an automatic air‑regeneration system. On a crisp November evening, amid a throng of spectators, the cannon roars to life, launching humanity’s first daring attempt to reach the lunar surface.