From the Earth to the Moon

After the end of the Civil War, Victor Barbicane announces that he has invented a revolutionary explosive called 'Power X' which he claims surpasses all previous ones in power. He demonstrates its destructive capability using a small cannon, destroying part of the countryside and a piece of Nicholl's metal.

Metallurgist Stuyvesant Nicholl dismisses Barbicane's claims and bets $100,000 that Power X cannot destroy Nicholl's invention, the hardest metal in existence. Barbicane responds by staging a demonstration that proves the metal's destruction.

Several nervous countries warn that continuing development of Power X could be considered an act of war, prompting President Ulysses S. Grant to request Barbicane to cease work on the explosive.

Despite stopping, Barbicane learns that pieces of Nicholl's metal from the demonstration have been transformed into an extremely strong yet lightweight ceramic. This discovery sparks Barbicane's idea to build a spaceship to the Moon.

Barbicane recruits Nicholl to help him design and build a spaceship capable of reaching the Moon. Meanwhile, the romantic interests develop as Virginia, Nicholl's daughter, and Ben Sharpe, Barbicane's assistant, grow closer.

The team completes the spaceship, and they gather for a publicized launch. Barbicane, Nicholl, and Sharpe board the vessel, and it takes off for the Moon amidst great fanfare and excitement.

In space, Nicholl reveals he has sabotaged the ship due to religious objections to Barbicane's disregard for divine laws. The discovery that Virginia has secretly boarded the ship complicates matters, prompting Nicholl to cooperate to save her.

Ben Sharpe and Virginia are placed in the safest part of the ship and fired back to Earth, while Barbicane and Nicholl, having landed separately on the Moon, signal to the young couple that they have reached their destination safely.

Barbicane and Nicholl successfully land on the Moon in their section of the spacecraft. They prepare to explore and signal back to Earth, fulfilling the original mission of the expedition.

Meanwhile, Sharpe and Virginia are returning to Earth safely, completing the journey that began with their daring launch. The story concludes with their safe arrival after the extraordinary lunar adventure.