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Earth Intelligence

16 Dec 2024 — 6 min read

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On December 14, 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law earlier in the month. The motion passed with 204 votes, including some from Yoon’s own party, suspending his powers and appointing Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president. The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him, with a new election required if the impeachment is upheld.
The impeachment follows Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration on December 3, which he claimed was necessary to address threats from anti-state forces. The move, seen as an abuse of power, led to public outrage and widespread protests. Though Yoon quickly rescinded the order, it left the nation divided and raised concerns about South Korea’s political stability, economy, and ability to manage tensions with North Korea.

Economics & Markets:

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Geopolitics & Conflicts:

On December 15, 2024, Israel carried out a major airstrike near Tartus, Syria, targeting a weapons depot. The strike caused a massive explosion, reportedly registering as a 3.0 magnitude earthquake on seismic sensors. This operation was part of a larger campaign of over 450 airstrikes across Syria within 48 hours, aimed at neutralizing military assets, including missiles, drones, and weapon production sites.

Israeli officials stated the strikes were necessary to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into hostile hands amid the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. These actions have drawn mixed reactions internationally, with some viewing them as vital for regional security and others as violations of Syrian sovereignty.
As of December 14th, 2024, the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) has arrived in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) region. This group includes the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), nine aviation squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and two guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). It joins the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), which has been operating in the area for several weeks.

Together, these two groups are focused on maintaining security, protecting sea routes, and supporting stability in the region during a time of heightened tensions. Earlier this year, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRF CSG) was also deployed to the Middle East but has since returned to its home port.
Now, the Truman and Eisenhower strike groups ensure continued U.S. naval presence in the region. Their deployment highlights the United States’ commitment to deterring threats, reassuring allies, and safeguarding critical waterways like the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea. The U.S. operates 11 aircraft carriers, China has 3, Russia has 1, India has 2, the United Kingdom has 2, France has 1, and Italy has 2.

Environment & Weather:

Cyclone Chido has devastated the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte with winds over 135 mph (220 kph). The storm caused widespread destruction, flooding entire neighborhoods, damaging infrastructure, and leaving thousands without power. Rescue teams are struggling to reach the worst-hit areas due to blocked roads and collapsed bridges, with early reports suggesting the death toll could reach thousands. Chido is being called the worst storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century.

The storm didn’t stop at Mayotte. Neighboring regions, including northern Mozambique and the Comoros Islands, have also suffered severe damage, with heavy rains and strong winds displacing many residents. As of December 16, Chido has made landfall in northern Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado province, causing flooding and further destruction. The storm is now moving inland toward Malawi and Zimbabwe, where warnings of flooding have been issued. The aftermath of Chido highlights the urgent need for disaster preparedness in these vulnerable regions.

Space:

Today, December 16, 2024, will see multiple rocket launches, some of which were delayed from the weekend due to technical and scheduling adjustments. The first launch of the day will feature China’s Long March 5B/YZ-2 rocket, scheduled for 10:00 UTC (5:00 AM EST) from the Wenchang Space Launch Site. This mission is part of the SatNet constellation, a Chinese project aiming to deploy Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to provide global communication services, similar to SpaceX’s Starlink.
Later today, at 18:00 UTC (1:00 PM EST), another Chinese rocket, the Long March 2D, will lift off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. While the payload for this mission has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to carry PIESAT-2 satellites designed for Earth observation. These satellites specialize in monitoring environmental and geological changes, supporting climate research and disaster management efforts.
Finally, SpaceX will launch its Falcon 9 rocket at 23:30 UTC (6:30 PM EST) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission will place the GPS III-10 satellite into orbit for the U.S. Space Force, enhancing the accuracy and resilience of GPS systems used globally. The upgraded satellite will improve location precision and provide stronger anti-jamming capabilities. Residents in Florida may catch a glimpse of the launch by looking northeast during the scheduled time. These launches showcase the ongoing advancements in satellite technology and the rapid push into space-based infrastructure development.

Science & Technology:

On December 10, 2024, the U.S. successfully tested its Aegis missile defense system in Guam. During the test, a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor destroyed a ballistic missile target midair, proving the system’s ability to stop nuclear-capable missiles like IRBMs and ICBMs before they reach their targets. These defense systems aren’t just on islands like Guam—they’re also deployed on U.S. Navy destroyers globally, creating a mobile network that can intercept missiles from land or sea.

This technology makes it possible to stop nuclear attacks entirely, as most missiles could be intercepted midair. While a massive, simultaneous missile launch could still overwhelm the system, smaller launches would be neutralized, making nuclear weapons far less effective. To improve this capability, the U.S. is awarding new contracts to companies like Lockheed Martin to strengthen and expand missile defense capabilities.

Earth Intelligence System Update:

Moon Watch is live! You can now toggle between Earth Watch and Moon Watch by clicking the arrows at the top of the Earth Watch screen. Up next: adding every planet in the Solar System to deliver deep planetary insights. Soon, this feature will display real-time data for all planets, creating an entirely new way to visualize and engage with knowledge.
Click image below to view:

Clickable image: Earth Intelligence System (EIS)

We’ve also expanded the infrastructure layer by adding the top 20 shipping container ports on Earth. Additionally, conflict markers are now displayed in the color black to improve visibility and contrast. Ongoing design enhancements and data upgrades will roll out throughout the week.