In this call for the special edition of Science Studio, Dr. Keith Pannell speaks with Dr. Jose Hurtado about the Moon and the importance of its study, including what scientists hope to learn from it today. Dr. Hurtado offers a clear overview of the Moon and explains why missions like Artemis II remain focused on exploring it. A key area of interest is the Moon’s south pole, where scientists are searching for signs of water. With extremely low temperatures in this region, there is strong potential for ice to remain locked away, making it a critical target for future exploration.
Dr. Hurtado is a UTEP professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences. He is assisting with mission simulations at the NASA Johnson Space Center, and during the mission itself, Hurtado will work in NASA’s Science Evaluation Room and help provide real-time communications and feedback to astronauts, which can maximize scientific return during the short mission.
This was originally recorded April 4th, 2026 11AM (MDT)