September 5, 2016

Swiss Space Firm Boss Left Badly Injured in Violent Attack (Source: The Local)
The founder and CEO of a Swiss Space Systems (S3), who previously received threats against him, is in hospital with serious injuries after a vicious attack. Pascal Jaussi, 40, was beaten up and set on fire by two unknown perpetrators on Aug. 26. The entrepreneur was found near his vehicle and transported to Lausanne’s CHUV hospital with burns on 25 percent of his body.

According to the paper’s sources, Jaussi was forced to drive his car into a forest, where he was doused in petrol and set on fire. He managed to get himself out of the vehicle and call a friend, who alerted emergency services. Jaussi had been in touch with police in recent months after receiving threats related to his work at the company.

A leader in space technology, S3 aims to make space more accessible by creating low-cost, reusable satellite launchers, a development not welcomed by all in the industry. Last year the company’s base in Payerne was broken into and equipment damaged, said the Tribune. (9/5)

Far-Away Asteroid Named After Freddie Mercury (Source: AP)
Queen guitarist Brian May says an asteroid in Jupiter's orbit has been named after the band's late frontman Freddie Mercury on what would have been his 70th birthday. May says the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center has designated an asteroid discovered in 1991, the year of Mercury's death, as "Asteroid 17473 Freddiemercury." (9/5)

Eutelsat Projects Up to $56 Million Revenue Loss From Satellite Loss (Source: Parabolic Arc)
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) regrets the loss of Spacecom’s AMOS-6 satellite following the launch pad explosion today of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in Cape Canaveral. In collaboration with Facebook, Eutelsat had contracted a multi-year agreement to lease the satellite’s Ka-band payload covering Sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to launching broadband services from early 2017.

Eutelsat remains committed to growing broadband in Africa and will explore other options to serve the needs of key clients ahead of the launch of its own full-High Throughput African broadband satellite, due in 2019. The impact on revenues is estimated at around €5 million in FY 2016-17, €15 million in FY 2017-18 and €25-30 million in FY 2018-19. Attendant savings in operating costs will partially mitigate the impact on the EBITDA margin. All financial objectives published on 29 July 2016 are confirmed. (9/1)

National Space Policy Adopted by UAE Cabinet (Source: The National)
A strategy to develop the space sector was adopted on Sunday by the Cabinet. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the National Space Policy would advance the UAE’s involvement in space exploration and establish it as a major player before the country’s 50th anniversary in 2021.

"We have a strong economy, solid infrastructure, national competencies and other accomplishments enabling us to enter the space race in time for our golden jubilee," he said. With the UAE operating more than six satellites and investing in excess of Dh20 billion, Sheikh Mohammed said the country’s goal was to build a strong and sustainable space sector. (9/4)

Philae Found on Comet (Source: ESA)
Less than a month before the end of the mission, Rosetta’s high-resolution camera has revealed the Philae lander wedged into a dark crack on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. The images were taken on 2 September by the OSIRIS narrow-angle camera as the orbiter came within 2.7 km of the surface and clearly show the main body of the lander, along with two of its three legs.

The images also provide proof of Philae’s orientation, making it clear why establishing communications was so difficult following its landing on 12 November 2014. Philae was last seen when it first touched down at Agilkia, bounced and then flew for another two hours before ending up at a location later named Abydos, on the comet’s smaller lobe. (9/5)

Musk Defends $4.9 Billion in Government Money for His Companies (Source: LA Times)
Musk defended his business strategies in an interview with CNBC, noting that none of the government subsidies are necessary, but "they are helpful." Musk's comments came in response to a Los Angeles Times story that said his companies -- Tesla Motors, SolarCity and SpaceX -- have benefited from an estimated $4.9 billion in government support.

The figure comprises a variety of government incentives, including grants, tax breaks, factory construction, discounted loans and environmental credits that Tesla can sell. It also includes tax credits and rebates to buyers of solar panels and electric cars. He said incentives and subsidies are typically and incorrectly characterized as either needed or unnecessary. “Both of those positions are false,” Musk said. “What the incentives do is they are catalysts. They improve the rate at which a certain thing happens.” (9/1)