"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of
preparation, hard work, learning from failure."
Colin Powell

We were prepared for some progress with EVAs and other tasks slated for today but there were some difficulties that had to be overcome first. The children had somewhat of any easy today due to the fact that Jared, their Educator, fell ill. I was able to help him and conduct their class this morning which entailed mathematics. All the children are right on track but I have noticed that they are hesitant to do their work for they want to go on EVA as opposed to stay in the Hab. With only six days of being at the Mars Desert Research Station, they are showing signs of not wanting to do their coursework. But just like being on Earth, they did it reluctantly.

Our Engineers are still looking into the anomaly of the batteries from the generator being drained. We have running water so the Crew is quite happy about that. The kitchen is free of dirty dishes and Crew Members are taking showers again. Another engineering constraint was with our mode of transportation to geologic and astrobiologic sites of interest. The CDR and one of the F.L.A.M.E. students, Angelina Zabala, were prepped for the first EVA of the day when the only working ATV had difficulty starting. Once it was started, thanks to Grant Waller, one of our Engineers, the vehicle would then only go in reverse! In high gear...reverse. In low gear...reverse. That EVA was scrubbed with quickness. Not to disappoint Angelina, she tagged along with Executive Officer Sklar, our Engineer Waller, and Iahu-Anat, another F.L.A.M.E. student on another EVA which was designated as a pedestrian EVA.

We have been preparing for this mission for many months. Even the veteran's of MDRS have to prepare for the unexpected. The Hab has changed since the last time we were here. During our last three missions we have seen much improvement but at the same time see that there is still room for more improvement. With so many crews coming and going one can definitely see how much influence a Crew has when they "improve" a feature of the habitat. Personal pictures hanging in the CDR's Crew Quarters of a martian astronaut placing his hand on the Sojourner rover which shows "Human Exploration in the 21st Century". Stickers from distant universities and space related organizations that Crew Members attended or belong to fill empty spaces of the Crew's Quarters walls. Sketches penciled on the ceilings above a Crew Member's bunk which represents the local hills and a martian sunset. Personal reminders of what was left behind and what to look for while taking up residence at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Even though there have been many difficulties that have been experienced and overcome, we continue to learn about our home. Preparation, hard work, learning from failure...these are no secrets to success but strategies for survival.

Veronica Ann Zabala-Aliberto
Commander, MDRS Crew 59