Sadly I think what is missing from that prologue opening is that Galen burnt any research that he was studying and also by all accounts the novel delves in to a scene where Galen is at odds with Lyra just being killed before he goes on board Krennics shuttle.

Which is skimmed over in not a good way but apparently this stuff exists, So one can hope one day we will we see the full consequence of Galen Burning his research and his struggle with Lyra being killed.

I think it is important to not cut away these layers. But they did unfortunately.

But they never found his daughter and that message still stands I guess.