This morning I awoke to a very overcast and windy morning. It seemed that the forecast for storms in this area by Friday or Saturday had been shifted up a few days.

After morning routine I gave the daily brief at around 0915. After the standard reporting from Engineering and the GreenHab we then went into the days EVAs and other activities. The EVAs planned for today were:

EVA-1: Jamon and I wanted to try and locate the second communications repeater station as well as record some more waypoints of importance. Although we were unsuccessful in locating the second repeater station (that is, unable to physically see it although we were in the locale) we explored some new surrounds and studied some interesting rock foramtions. Our EVA was cut short somewhat by a large dust storm that appeared to be bringing rain with it (yet to fall). During this EVA I also wore a blood pressure cuff and took blood pressure and temperature readings at various stages throughout the EVA.

EVA-2: Edwin, Richard and Susmita were to continue a small film that Edwin is making for European colleagues and school children on his stay here at MDRS. Unfortunately, as all EVAs had to be postponed due to the intense winds from the storm, they were unable to complete this.

We still continue to have issues with the generators but they are not major. One needs to have a new solenoid and the other needs a new hand crank but these issues can be overcome as they arise.

The crew remains in high spirits but tempers are starting to fray a little. Richard (the XO) has been great in being able to smooth out issues that have been bubbling up from some of the crew.

We are handling the adverse conditions well and the crew are rising to the challenge.