In this special edition of Science Studio, Dr. Keith Panell continues his conversation with Dr. Jose Hurtado, taking a deeper look at the mysterious flashes observed on the Moon during the Artemis II mission.
Dr. Hurtado explains that these flashes are likely caused by high-speed meteorite impacts, releasing bursts of energy visible as brief flashes of light. Drawing from both astronaut observations and past data from lunar missions, the discussion highlights how common these impacts may be and what they reveal about the Moon's environment.
The Episode also looks ahead to the mission's final phase, as the crew prepares for re-entry and splashtown. From high-speed descent through Earth's atmosphere to landing in the Pacific Ocean, the conversation breaks down what it takes to safely bring astronauts home.
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. From there, he will help maximize scientific return along with real-time communications and feedback to astronauts during the short mission.
This was originally recorded April 10th, 2026 5PM (MDT)