"In all ages and epochs people have experienced the greatest
happiness in embarking upon new voyages of discovery..."
- Y. A. Gagarin

Crew Physical Status: Entire crew in good shape, sleep budget not the best.

Brief Narrative of Today's Results: Today was again a day full of work, with two EVAs and a new experiment from the BioMars package. The day started with the third LiMa (Life on Mars) EVA in three days, again collecting samples from two WPTs, and, filling the last 30min, trying to fly the Aerobot, a flying device with mounted optical MiniCam for local area reconnaissance. Due to heavy winds, however, this testing had to be postponed. Breakfast and lunch were framed like every day by various tests (FAMOS, Myograph, medical measurements). In the afternoon, the second EVA crew of the day prepared for a novelty in the history of the MDRS: For the first time, sterile suits were used on top of the EVA suits to measure (quantify) contamination during EVA, in general and locally on different areas of the suit (also, micro spherules were applied on one normal EVA suit to quantify cross-contamination). This exensive experiment required two hours for suit-donning, including two assistents in sterile TYVEK suits. Difficulties were discovered only from a technical point of view (attachment of sample bags and fragility of sterile silver-gold suits).

Nevertheless this first AustroMars Track and Trace EVA added a unique new feature to the list of MDRS experiments and discoveries; the sample patches will be procured and examined in the coming days, and the crew eagerly awaits the second attempt tomorrow, combined with a MedMars rescue operation simulation - a challenge, that's for sure. After a new round of skin and saliva samples early evening, the crew prepared for the first relaxing evening of the mission: to celebrate Yuris night on this very special 12th April 2006, 45 years after the door to human endeavours in space was first opened.

EVAs: 2. Find details in EVA reports, (below).

EVA #9/10: G. Groemer (HSO, EVA CDR), M. Spiss (MSL) and Ch. Hutsteiner (FE). HabCom A. Soucek (XO). Main activity was the third BioMars sample collection. Crew took two samples from different sites (9/1 and 9/2), both app. 600m southeast from the Hab in vox and sight contact during the entire EVA. Continuous vox coverage also for MCC Salzburg, were two dozen people listened to the crew radio commands. EVA started at 0915 and ended at 1215. The last 45min were operated as EVA #10 as the crew took the ATVs and went to the AustroMars WLAN Area to take power boxes to the Hab which need to be modified. No anomlies during EVA.

EVA #11: Ch. Kandler (MSL, EVA CDR), Ch. Hutsteiner (FE) and A. Soucek (XO). HabCom G. Groemer (HSO). First BioMars Track and Trace experiment sequence, including sterile suit-donning procedures (taking up almost two hours). Testing of exterior suits and sample patches in proximity to the hab. Slight difficulties with strong wind. Then continued test using the ATVs app. 500m northwest of the Hab. EVA started at 1625 and ended at 1816. No anomalies.

Plans for Tomorrow: Revised Flight Plan of Day 6 will be received by MCC Salzburg later this evening. The most challenging event will certainly be the four-crew MedMars / Track and Trace EVA. Less interesting from a scientific point of view: Tomorrow morning the crew will enjoy one of the mission's rare spare time slots. We are sure we can avoid being bored during spare time by continuing the extensive AustroMars media outreach work in cooperation with our MCC...!

Report Transmission Schedule:

• Today's engineering report will be transmitted at 2000.
• The CDR report will be transmitted at 2100.

Anomalies: None.

Miscellaneous: "COMRADE KOSMONAUT": During EVA 9/10, crew and MCC (via passive vox) celebrated the first human space flight by various tributes to Yuri A. Gagarin, including radio transmission of his original pre-launch message.

Support Requested: none.

More to follow.

Alexander Soucek
Commander, MDRS Crew 48 "AustroMars," on behalf of CDR