Examining the samples and evaluating the data was the work of decades indeed, it is still ongoing. Upon their return, the NASA scientists did not know whether to feel sad about the premature end of the Apollo era or rejoice at the scientific and material yield from all of the experiments at the landing site, on the excursions and from orbit. He holds the orbit record, having flown around the Moon 75 times. Ron Evans, the command and service module pilot, examined the Moon from orbit using cameras, spectrometers and – for the first time – radar. By the time they were done, they had stowed 110 kilograms of Moon samples in the Challenger. Over three trips with the lunar rover, each lasting more than seven hours, the two astronauts covered 34 kilometres. During this process, 11 test and Navy pilots became keen and highly trained lay scientists. The scientists devised numerous new experiments for Apollo 11 and the five subsequent landings, and provided scientific training for the astronauts. With a surface that is over three billion years old, the Moon provides an insight into the early days of the Solar System. From the outset, the scientists involved recognised the importance of the Moon for our understanding of all four Earth-like planets. To make sure that the first human on the Moon would literally have solid ground to walk on, Earth's satellite was explored beforehand using robotic probes. Nevertheless, these efforts were also accompanied by a scientific programme. The goal was to demonstrate the superiority of the free Western world.
The initial motivation for putting a US-American on the Moon had been a political one – to get there before the Soviets. This scientific bounty was especially plentiful over the last three missions – the three 'J' missions, each lasting three days on the Moon: Apollo 15, 16 and 17 – as these lunar flights were primarily dedicated to scientific goals.
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