Operational readiness tests are where the bugs come out. We train so that these problems do come up and we can work through them.

We have done well against some teams that have given us problems in the past. The bigger tests are coming after spring break. We need to eliminate the lapses.

Hundreds of people are lining up to take tests for infections, heart and kidney problems and dehydration.

With this spacecraft, we never had a quiet cruise to Mars. We didn't do just basic maintenance, we conducted major science and engineering calibrations to test how well the instruments were doing in space. These activities help shorten the learning curve for us when we get to Mars and start mapping.

Orbit insertion is 'make it or break it' time. You either do it or you don't, and if you don't, you're done. We're making sure that the spacecraft has the best shot of making it into orbit around Mars.

We still have the same problems we had 30 years ago.