Space firm to launch in Malta
Scottish “NewSpace” company Orbital Access will soon open its headquarters in Malta, hoping to pioneer the industry on the island nation, local paper The Malta Independent reported. NewSpace refers to the new space sector — as distinct from the old space missions with government agencies launching vertical rockets — and the private space flight industry. Orbital said satellites are launched into space on standard airplanes, detaching from the aircraft at preset heights and continuing into space. The 400 billion euro ($455.5 billion) industry is one in which Malta is currently not involved. Com- pany director Edmund Arcadian said the plan was to encourage other companies in the sector to establish businesses in Malta, not only because of the financial services Malta offers, but also the country’s prime location for launching satellites. percent in May compared with the same period last year, national statistics agency ISTAT reported on Tuesday. Industrial production rose 0.7 percent in May compared with April, by 0.2 percent in MarchMay compared with the previous quarter, and by 1.7 percent in the first five months of the year over the same period in 2016, ISTAT said. “Yearly industrial production +2.8 percent. Better than forecast. Growth will mean more jobs, less inequality,” tweeted Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. There was a marked rise in May production of capital goods, up 5.9 percent, followed by consumer goods up 2.5 percent, energy up 1 percent, and intermediate goods increasing 0.4 percent. The best-performing sector was transportation vehicle manufacturing with a 7.3 percent growth and the worst-performing sector was mining, dropping 18.8 percent, according to ISTAT. eral promises to reach the 3 percent level ordered by the European Union. “We found 4.5 billion euros of savings, to lower the deficit to under 3 percent from this year by reducing the state budget. Neither local authorities nor social security will be involved,” the minister added. In an “unprecedented” move, Darmanin said the government would squeeze public expenditure without increasing taxes and affecting public services.