What was a major goal of the Apollo missions?

The Apollo missions had several significant objectives, one of which was to retrieve samples from the Moon’s surface. This was a major goal because scientists wanted to gain a better understanding of the Moon's composition, geological history, and the solar system as a whole. The Apollo 11 mission, for instance, successfully brought back 47.5 pounds (21.5 kilograms) of lunar rock and soil samples, which have been crucial for scientific research and have provided insights into the formation and evolution of the Moon and Earth.

Collecting lunar samples allowed scientists to conduct various analyses that would not have been possible without direct material from the Moon. This included studying the age of the Moon, its mineralogy, and the presence of volatile compounds. The successful sample retrieval by Apollo missions contributed immensely to our knowledge of planetary geology and has informed ongoing studies in planetary science.

While other options present interesting points, such as establishing a lunar colony, which is not something the Apollo missions pursued, or mapping the lunar surface and launching a telescope, these were not primary objectives of the program. Instead, the core focus was on exploration and scientific discovery, epitomized by the retrieval of lunar samples.