Vehicle Systems:
Gas Level - slightly below 3/4 (Tuesday noon). It turns out that the gas level reading reported in the last status report was incorrect as it was read with the ARES engine turned off. When the gas level was read later on Sunday (Feb. 23) with the ARES engine started, the gas level read full (which was more realistic as the distance between Handksville and MDRS is only about 7miles). The gas level then read 7/8 following the Monday morning rover EVA and slightly below 3/4 following the overnight EVA.

Odometer

• 202762 km (13:00 MST Monday following morning EVA)
• 202842 km (12:00 MST Tuesday following overnight EVA)

Tires - OK

Interior Systems:
110V - Operational
12V - Operational

Plumbing - 1 known slow leak, at metal fitting at rear of toilet. Pump cycles briefly approx. every 30 minutes. Current action is just to place paper towel at leak point and replace as needed. Leak at pump outlet was stopped by tightening screw fitting. Plastic 90-degree screw fitting at rear of toilet was tightened, but this did not stop leak. After wiping tubes and fitting at rear of toilet, it was determined that there is no water leaking from the plastic 90-degree screw fitting, but rather water drops seem to be forming at the metal fitting going into the toilet, approx. one drop every 6-7 seconds.

Toilet - Operational
Sink - Operational
Water Tank Level - approx. 2/3 full

Construction and Maintenance:

• continued installation of 1" polystyrene insulation panels for rover ceiling, 56% complete (4 of 7 sections)
• installed handle on inside of rear door and installed toilet paper dispenser
• installed hinge to front 45-degree angle plexiglass panel

Rover Use Highlights:

• On Monday morning, ARES was put into service on its maiden EVA to collect a water sample from a standing water pool for biological assessment. Nancy Wood was the biologist and Stan Piechocinski was the rover engineer and driver. They were accompanied by videographers Steve Jordan and Jennifer Laing. Marsskin EVA suits were donned inside the rover once the ARES had been driven to the approximate location of the pool. The rear driver side storage compartment was used to store the sample once it had been collected. Due to time constraints, the inside lab facilities of the ARES were not used.
  
  
• On Monday afternoon, an overnight geology/biology excursion using the ARES was started. Jon Clarke was the geologist and rover driver, Fathi Karouia was the biologist, and Chad Rowland was the rover engineer. Jon Clarke has put together a report on the usability/hability of the rover during this EVA which I have forwarded separately.