The growing problem of space junk
FT News Briefing
Forhecz Topher
4.4 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 22 November 2021
⏱️ 10 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
https://www.ft.com/content/db10452c-ddf2-445a-a28f-34253506c142
Saudi Arabia has an ambitious goal to increase domestic military production as part of Crown Prince Mohammed’s plan to diversify the oil-dependent economy, video game maker Electronic Arts and football governing body Fifa are in a bitter dispute over the value of the Fifa name that could end their lucrative sports licensing partnership, and the FT’s international business editor Peggy Hollinger says Russia’s destruction last week of one of its old satellites adds to the risk of debris colliding with spacecraft.
EA and Fifa’s 30-year video game union at risk in battle over name - with Murad Ahmed
https://www.ft.com/content/433c3af7-6ea1-4c7f-ab94-94a431aec2d4
Russian satellite debris is a wake-up call for emerging space industry - with Peggy Hollinger
https://www.ft.com/content/c27d6560-8641-4f0c-926b-8278de737206
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Gavin Kallmann and Michael Bruning. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Good morning from the Financial Times. |
| 0:03.8 | Today is Monday, November 22nd, and this is your FT News Briefing. |
| 0:08.1 | Saudi Arabia has a plan to build up its own military industry. |
| 0:13.2 | One of the most famous sports partnerships is on the rocks. |
| 0:16.9 | Plus, commercial space activity is growing, but no one's overseeing what's going on up there. |
| 0:23.0 | Space is a big place, but we have plans to send up so many satellites that it's increasingly becoming congested. |
| 0:29.8 | Our International Business Editor, Peggy Hollinger, will talk about a big threat to all those satellites in orbit. |
| 0:35.7 | I'm Joanna Gau, in for Mark Filipino, and here's the news you need to start your day. |
| 0:43.6 | Saudi Arabia spent nearly $60 billion on defense last year by one estimate. |
| 0:49.6 | Almost all of that was on imported weaponry. |
| 0:53.0 | Now Riyadh wants to build up its own military industry. |
| 0:56.7 | The goal is to increase local production to 50% of defense spending within a decade. |
| 1:02.2 | That fits with Crown Prince Mohammed's plan to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil. |
| 1:07.7 | He also wants to make the country more self-reliant. |
| 1:10.3 | A company set up by the government last year recently invested in a factory in Riyadh that makes parts for bombs and drones. |
| 1:17.4 | The government also wants arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin to move production and maintenance to the kingdom. |
| 1:27.6 | For tens of millions of people around the world, the name FIFA doesn't mean soccer's governing body. |
| 1:33.6 | It's a video game. |
| 1:35.6 | FIFA's licensing deal with video game maker Electronic Arts has been one of the most mutually beneficial relationships in sports. |
| 1:43.6 | But the partners are on the verge of breaking up. |
| 1:46.6 | FT Sports Editor Murad Ahmed has more. |
| 1:49.6 | So there's a really negotiation over the name. |
... |
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