Note: The February 27th Engineering report was slightly delayed as we arrived very late last night and Francis and Rehnberg did not conduct the Engineering walkthrough until 2:30AM. A full Engineering report for the 27th is scheduled to be submitted prior to mission support coming online tonight; however, the following issues were noted during the Engineering walkthrough:

Issues Noted:

Potable Water Supply:
During refilling of the internal supply tank the water flow began to surge and burp after approximately 9 gallons. This surging was not typical of previous refils which were almost silent. Visual inspection of the flow indicated water was still running smoothly, but because of the atypical noise waterflow was stopped at 10 gallons. Previous inspection had revealed that both internal and external tanks were low, and Commander Gregory suggested this was not a sign that the external tank was too low.

Question: can we continue filling the tank, or should we wait for a refill? Question: when is the refill scheduled? When Francis discussed the ETA with the team earlier this week the resupply date was scheduled for Monday, but after the walkthrough Commander Gregory informed him last night that it might be delayed until Thursday. Which is correct?

Greenhab Aquatic Tank 2:
Aquatic Tank 2 in the Greenhab system had an atypical amount of foam near its drain valve to Aquatic Tank 3. This foam was right above the bubble line and a clear patch of water could be seen with a silvery turbulent consistency not unlike shampoo. (We do not believe that this substance is shampoo at this time since no-one is known to be using non-biodegradable shampoo, and in any event AQ2 is several stages downstream from the settling and holding tanks). XO Rehnberg noted that foam had been noted on previous walkthroughs, but not the silvery substance.

Question: is this a normal occurrence?

Greenhab Aquatic Tanks 3 and 4:
Aquatic Tank 3 has no bubble pipe and Aquatic Tank 4 has two

Question: is this an error or is this normal?

Greenhab Aquatic Tank 5:
Aquatic Tank 5 in the Greenhab is down to approximately 1/5th. Visual inspection of the holding tank indicated it was at about 1/3 capacity. However, no pumping was heard and no flow observed between the Aquatic Tanks. Examination of the water supply schematics posted in the Greenhab seemed to indicate that the refill process occurs at noon and midnight. Visual inspection of the Greenhab revealed a timer switch which appears to be the relevant one, but we did not have time to verify against the operations manual or the punch list digital photo record.

Question: can we run the supply more frequently to attempt to replenish the greenhab?
Question: if so, what controls do we need to use (e.g., is that the timer?)

Raw Data:

The raw data of the Engineering walk-through follows. Detailed consumption estimates will be included with the full Engineering report for February 27th, 2005.

Exterior Visual Inspection:

• Power Plant: no visible issues
• Hab: no visible problems. need to reorganize tools left after refit to recreate appearance of "sim"
• Greenhab: no visible issues
• Radio telescope: no visible issues
• ATVs: no visible issues

Power System: no visible issues:

• Yanmar Generator: 1721.05
• Diesel: just under 3/4ths
• Propane: approximately 71%

Water System Readings: several visible issues:

• External Supply Tank: approximately 1/8th tank, no visible issues
• Internal Supply Tank: pumping issues
• original reading 16 gallons, approximately 44 gallons used
• added 10 gallons to top off to 26th
• at close to 8 gallon mark, water being pumped began to surge and bubble
• Holding Tank: approximately 1/3 tank
• AQ2: observed excessive foam near outflow valve and a silvery turbulence under bubble pipe
• AQ3: no bubble pipe observed
• AQ4: had two bubble pipes
• AQ5: down to approximately 1/5th tank
• Toilet Supply Tank: not visually inspected