In this episode of Science Studio. Dr Keith Pannell speaks with Dr. Jose Hurtado about how astronauts are trained to understand the moon's geography ahead of their flyby.
Drawing from years of study anf fieldwork in places like iceland, the science team has prepared astronauts to recognize key lunar features from orbit. Dr. Hurtado explains how this mission offers a rare opportunity to see the Moon as a whole giving astronauts a global perspective that Apollo crew didn't fully exprerience. He also highlights major features like the massive Orientale Basin and what makes the Moon's rugged landscape so unique.
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 5th, 2026 1PM (MDT)