Professor Farouk El-Baz stands among the Egyptians whose work has shaped humanity’s understanding of worlds beyond our own while improving life on Earth. Born in Zagazig and educated in chemistry and geology at Ain Shams University, he continued his studies in the United States, earning graduate degrees in geology before entering the American space programme at one of its most demanding moments. In 1967, he joined Bellcomm, the technical organization supporting NASA Headquarters, and began studying thousands of Lunar Orbiter photographs. Through disciplined analysis, he learned to recognize the Moon’s terrains, organize its geological features, and identify scientifically valuable areas for exploration. His expertise helped inform the selection of Apollo landing sites, and he served as secretary of the site-selection committee while supervising lunar science planning.

El-Baz’s contribution to Apollo was not limited to maps and reports. He trained astronauts to observe the Moon as scientists while thinking and communicating as pilots. Rather than overwhelming crews with academic terminology, he taught them to recognize landmarks, surface patterns, craters, ridges, and other features they could identify quickly from orbit.....