[Thursday, February 2, 2006] This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) solicits the participation of the scientific community in the Venus Express Programme to increase further the scientific return of the selected investigations and of the mission as a whole.

[Friday, February 10, 2006] Venus is best known for the thick layers of clouds that veil its surface from view by telescopes on Earth. But the veil has holes, and a scientist plans on using a solar telescope to peer through them to study the weather on Venus.

[Thursday, February 16, 2006] During the reporting period the spacecraft control has been switched back to the Cebreros antenna. The period has been characterised by the second payload pointing campaign which will finish in the next reporting period.

[Thursday, February 16, 2006] Operations during the reporting period have been moved again over the New Norcia station and spacecraft activities has focused on further TTC tests, characterisation of STRs acquisition performance, and Radio Science activities.

[Friday, February 17, 2006] During the reporting period the Thermal Characterization Scenario with Sun illumination of the cryo face (-X) and the Main Engine face (+Z) has been completed.

[Friday, February 17, 2006] According to the first telemetry data the burn (3 seconds duration) was nominal and detailed calibration data will now be analysed by the engineers to assess the exact performance of the main engine.

[Friday, February 24, 2006] A short-duration maneuver placed the spacecraft on track for its next major mission event: the first Venus flyby on October 24, 2006.

[Saturday, February 25, 2006] After the successful calibration test of the Main Engine flight activities have focused on payloads check-out activities.