Tuesday☕️

Earth Intelligence

19 Mar 2024 — 5 min read

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U.S. Troop Removal
SpaceX Launch

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U.S. Troop Removal:

On Saturday, Niger brought an end to its military agreement with the United States, leading to the expulsion of all U.S. military personnel from the nation. Last week, a U.S. delegation engaged in talks with officials from Niger, addressing concerns about Niger's potential ties with Russia and Iran, as well as discussing the presence of U.S. military forces in the country.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, in a media briefing, described the talks as comprehensive, focusing on establishing a renewed cooperation path while acknowledging Niger's sovereignty and addressing mutual concerns. The Pentagon is currently seeking further details from Niger's government following their March 16 announcement regarding the termination of the agreement that allows U.S. forces to operate in Niger. These discussions are progressing through diplomatic avenues, according to Singh.
The U.S. delegation was composed of high-level officials, including Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley of U.S. Africa Command, State Department's Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Mary Catherine Phee, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander. They held meetings with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, various government and military officials, civil society groups, and representatives from international organizations and partner nations.
In the backdrop of these diplomatic efforts, Singh highlighted that approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel, including contractors, are stationed in Niger. Their operations have shifted primarily to force protection and relocating within the country following the coup on July 26, which saw President Mohamed Bazoum ousted by the military and replaced by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, who then established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, effectively taking control of Niger's governance.

SpaceX Launch:

Yesterday at 7:28 p.m. Pacific Time, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, using Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E). This mission marked the 10th launch for its first stage booster, previously used for missions like SDA-0A, SARah-2, and seven other Starlink launches. SpaceX has now sent over 6,000 satellites into orbit since starting the Starlink project in 2019, significantly contributing to satellite infrastructure globally.
Starlink is SpaceX's project to create a satellite network for providing broadband internet to remote and underserved areas. It involves placing thousands of small satellites in low-Earth orbit to offer internet coverage worldwide, aiming to improve connectivity in areas with limited traditional internet access. This network uses satellites linked by laser to form a mesh network, allowing for faster data transmission than typical satellite internet services, improving internet speeds and reducing latency as the network grows.
Besides supporting the Starlink network, these satellites are also used for Starshield, a variant of the Starlink system developed for government and defense use, particularly by the U.S. Department of Defense. Starshield uses Starlink's satellite technology for functions such as Earth observation and secure communication, offering more security and reliability for missions requiring stringent data protection and intelligence capabilities.

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