Crew Physical Status: Everyone is OK but exhausted after a day with too much unscheduled excitement.

Brief Narrative of Today's Results: After yesterday's extensive EVA, we were planning to take it easy today. But it was not to be: first we had to fix the toilet tank pump, then the power system started going crazy again, then we lost two of our balloons and had to scramble to save the third. Now the generator just died again (even though the inverter seems OK). Oh well, one of these days...

EVA: In spite of everything, the crew still managed to put together a viable EVA, this time headed south on Lowell Highway to test the composite EVA shovel, in situ resource utilization techniques, and radiation shielding methods. All went well and the EVA team just returned to the hab.

Plans for Tomorrow: It is our mid-mission Sunday so we'll take it easy - really.

Report Transmission Schedule:

• Today's engineering report will be transmitted via the web interface within the hour.
• The other reports (CDR, HSO, SCI, UPG, JNL, EVA) will be transmitted between 2000h and 2100h.

Miscellaneous: Mars needs mechanics, plumbers and electricians.

Support Requested: none - thanks to Don for coming out again.

More to follow.

Jan Osburg
Commander, MDRS Crew 47