FMARS Sponsors	FMARS Crew 10 Mission Update - July 14, 2005 Andy Wegner - Devon Island In-Transit Repairs The long days of Earth-Mars transit are upon us. We spend our hours honing research plans, training on emergency procedures, and calibrating scientific equipment. Yesterday, during testing trials, the x-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (XRF) developed a glitch and steadfastly refused to boot up. We expended all on-board resources in a failed attempt to troubleshoot the problem. Mission Technical Support -- Mississauga came to the rescue, determining that it was a cold-temperature-induced misfire of the display panel contrast mechanism, a potential problem they were familiar with and one for which they had an easy work around. Such is the value of good Earth-based technical support. Calibration and testing of the instrument is now completed, and we stand ready for retroburn to Mars-capture. The Mars weather gremlins willing, this should happen about 20:00 standard Earth time today. Crew Status Update: Tiffany Vora - XO Please be advised that the full crew complement has arrived at FMARS-10! We are currently offloading the last plane, sorting out gear, and running the health and safety test teleconference. We are also learning the protocols for chore completion. The crew is indebted to the efforts of Anthony & Judd, whose two-day pre-rotation has made our transition to Mars nearly effortless. Burst transmissions begin now. We will check our email twice a day as per the schedule sent to MS. On to Mars!
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