I ran a check of the transport ship’s systems in storage mode. Everything is normal — minor pressure changes in the tanks due to temperature fluctuations. In the next comm session I raised a point with the ground: “You come on shift every four days and can’t always manage your mood — you make too many mistakes.” They took offense. The shift leader Viktor comes on and says: “Valentin, well, how are things? Shall we get to work? You’ve upset us.” I was even taken aback by the way he put it. I say: “Guys, we’re not slacking off — hold steady yourselves.” They rallied, and work got going again.

It’s interesting how in the morning you get up, look out the window, and the day can seem either overcast or sunny. On Earth that makes sense — clouds. But up here it all depends on the Sun’s position above the horizon and relative to the orbital plane, which changes the illumination of regions of Earth we’re used to seeing bright and sunny. Or maybe it also depends on your mood?

Before bed we prepared a greeting for Mission Control:

“Dear friends, we congratulate you on the national holiday of the Great October Revolution. For the sixth month now, we and you have been carrying out a complex flight program as one large crew, and though it can be difficult at times, the satisfaction from the work accomplished, from the results obtained, and above all from your understanding and support goes a long way toward easing the hardships of our life on board.

We are not supermen but ordinary people, and it is gratifying when during comm sessions you try to help us with music, news, a kind word. We are sincerely grateful for the collective professional and human participation that is the key to the successful completion of our Motherland’s assignment. Once more we congratulate you, wish you good health, happiness, and success in all your endeavors, and embrace each and every one of you.

Your faithful friend, the crew of Berezovoy — Lebedev.”