Long before the modern method of space travel was created however Jules Verne proposed another idea in his novel, "From the Earth to the Moon".  He Proposed making a space cannon. People would ride in a hallowed out projectile and be fired from a large cannon. This projectile would then escape the earths atmosphere, slingshot around the moon and then safely return to earth. The physics of this of course would be now small task.                                                                                                                                                                        Verne proposed building a canon the size of a small mountain and launching a shell like shuttle called the Columbiad. The construction of these things was no small feat in the book and in real life would be no easier. With the price of raw materials an land so high. The price tag  would easily be in the  millions if not billions or dollars.