It seems that exiting days are chasing one another, and time starts to fly. The specially programmed countdown on our hab computers tells me right at this moment that we have 3 days, 19 hrs, 10 min and... 06 seconds (05, 04...) left before the crew returns from the first human surface mission on the Red Planet. Still we have the ambitious goal of finding out more about methane and water vapour phenomena around an aera near our landing point Hebes Chasma, a place mysteriously named "Factory Butte" by previous astronomers on Earth.

It is not easy going there, or anywhere near, not only because of chaotic terrain, which is manageable by an Austrian crew of trained mountaineers, but also because of laws and regulations from Mission Control from Earth. Astronauts stick to the rules, and so we will see what the next days bring. But, in order to use time effectively, meanwhile we are training various aspects needed in reality for such an undertaking, and therefore five analogue astronauts spent the morning with an experiment of a different kind: Imagine an astronaut slipping while climbing on the edge of a canyon, falling some 10 or 20 meters and breaking his legs. He has two more hours of Oxygen left. He can't or shouldn't move. In such a situation, there is only one solution: immediate, effective and safe action from experts. If I were the injured astronaut (and in fact I was!), one thing would give me comfort despite my pain: to see experts of the Austrian federal Mountain Rescue Association with world class equipment appearing 20 meters above my head.

Within 30 minutes, today's EVA crew managed to set up a special bipod and a puzzling system of ropes and to perform two rescue operations in full simulation mode. It was an interesting and certainly very valuable experience for future references. Needless to say that it looked spectacular, but important to note that safety was of uttermost importance, and we are lucky to have had an extensive training beforehand on the equipment, and, of course, Markus Spiss as crew member supervising the action - Markus is a mountain rescue expert many could learn from. To pull the injured astronaut up again is just one part of the story. But then: How to transport him back to the "safe haven", the Habitat? For demonstrating this, the crew rigged up two improvised stretchers. As I was commanded to fall down into a canyon, break my legs, hurt my back and be close to nausia, I had at least the priviledge to be carried for a significant distance by my fellow astronauts. What we have tested today will certainly be of benefit for future expeditions to come, and one day even on Mars. The ultra-light bi-pod structure and the fast assembly allow considering it for exploration missions in general (whether on Earth or Mars), and it was certainly the first time in history of the MDRS crews that such a setup was tested and successfully performed (the next AustroMars premiere, so to say).

I like those moments in which you are aware that you are entering new ground. And everything works, of course. Because, heroic phrases aside, you are hanging between heaven and Earth here, and it depends on the skills of the ones having set up the equipment whether you'll end up in the first (heaven) or on the latter (Earth). Then, it is one thing to train it in everyday life, another to do it with a (even simulated) space suit. A beautiful day is coming to an end. Outside it's very cold, and as we were running on battery and had to save power again, it became significantly cold during the night and this morning. It reminds me more of Mars like that.