Last night further maintenance problems became apparent as the door to airlock 2 would not remain closed. On examination we found that there was a large gap between the bottom of the external airlock door seal and the doorframe. Although this did not stop the electromagnetic seal keeping the external door closed it meant that the draft was such that the internal door was blown open. A temporary measure was undertaken where two screws were removed from the protective plating surrounding the internal door and replaced with longer screws giving us a protruding object to tie the door to, keeping it closed. There were some concerns among the crew regarding safety as the external doors did not lock. Airlock 1 has nothing of value inside the airlock and the internal door has a good strong locking mechanism and was therefore considered safe. Airlock 2 however had no locking mechanism on either door and the airlock has become an unofficial cool room to maintain as much working space as possible on the upper deck. Therefore a metal panel similar to that usually secured by a padlock was re-fixed to the door and secured by a nail through the loop. Whilst working at this site it was also noted that one of the floor plates in front of the work bench prior to the bathroom was raised and was missing its fixings. Fixings were located and the plate was re-secured. Today I also found that the rubber seal on the top of the external door of airlock 2 was free and hanging outside. This has now been repaired.

This morning we went into partial simulation. Whilst Jamon and Heather went to obtain fresh supplies, myself, Edwin and Susmita went on our first foot EVA. Despite communication problems where it appears that the batteries required charging and problems with the shorter members of the crew finding that the helmets pushed their heads forward, restricting movement, it was a successful EVA where a camera tripod was erected in a fixed position for Edwin's ongoing experiment. Jamon has undertaken to solve the problems ready for the next EVA. During this EVA both Susmita and I took rock samples which were returned to the Lab. As there is not a resident geologist in the crew, although Heather and myself have completed geology courses in the past, they have been left in the lab for examination tomorrow having used our evening to study up on the local geology.

The crew are still working well together and are in good spirits with Commander Reece Lamsden having set up a more structured day, with set times for morning briefings, EVA's, food, rest periods and de-briefings. The international, multi cultural crew are even beginning to come to terms with the added sugar content of American cuisine. It is planned to go into full simulation tomorrow under the fortnight plan outlined by Commander Lamsden, which I will leave to his reports.