We believe this instrumentation set will significantly enhance our capabilities at Venus compared to the most recent mission. We are looking forward to it!

Venus Express has already traveled almost once around the globe, and it is then heading out towards the trajectory on to Venus. Now the Venus Express spacecraft must properly initialize its onboard systems. This is supposed to happen automatically. Most notably it must switch on its onboard transmitter. Secondly, it has to prime the reaction control system, to give it maneuvering capability. Thirdly, it has to deploy the solar arrays to give us power to recharge our batteries.

The run up to the 2007 full-market opening in Europe will continue to feed consolidation momentum in the EU. Around the globe, increased competition is driving companies to turn to M&A activities to deliver growth horizontally and vertically. High wholesale power, gas and carbon prices also are creating new platforms for deal activity, pushing up generation asset values and bolstering the rationale for deal prices. As we look ahead, we can expect to see greater integration of upstream and downstream entities and more moves by the mega-players. The attitude of the competition authorities will be critical to future deals.

The run up to the 2007 full-market opening in Europe will continue to feed consolidation momentum in the EU.

The Japanese economy is making its most serious attempt not to disappoint. The yen will strengthen.

This strategic move will further strengthen our position as a safety and systems supplier to the automotive industry and will give us a real push forward in automotive electronics.