Metadata and real, complicated experiments

In many real scenarios, the whole experimental process is beyond the control of a single individual. The design of the research, sample production, several different analytical techniques. For example the stardust project went to space to pick up some space dust, and later these particles were analyzed using a number of methods. Was it possible for any individual to have oversight of the whole process? Have the data and metadata been stored in such a way as to allow re-evaluation of data years from now?