To get a feeling for the immensity of the task of developing rocket transport there is a suitably immense book, or rather four immense books written by Boris Chertok, the electrical engineer who became second in command of the USSR's rocket/missile/space programme under the great Korolev. NASA, bless them, publish it in downloadable form for Kindle completely f.o.c!
It's hard work and a bit dry in places but an utterly fascinating and incredibly detailed account of the difficulties they encountered in their gargantuan task, and imo is essential reading for anyone with a special interest in space exploration and rockets. It is also a fascinating insight into the mindset of Russian governments and people from the '20s to the modern era.
Boris Chertok (author). Rockets and People, Volume 1, 2005. ISBN 0-16-073239-5. Published by NASA.
Boris Chertok (author). Rockets and People, Volume 2: Creating a Rocket Industry, 2006. ISBN 0-16-076672-9. Published by NASA.
Boris Chertok (author). Rockets and People, Volume 3: Hot Days of the Cold War, 2009. ISBN 978-0-16-081733-5. Published by NASA.
Boris Chertok (author). Rockets and People, Volume 4: The Moon Race, 2011. Published by NASA.