In the past few days, a strange phenomenon was revealed that could only be seen from space. The world’s second-largest river and Africa’s first, it spans more than 6,800 kilometers (6,853 to be exact), passing through eleven nations (Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt). Tanzania’s Lake Victoria is the source of the Nile River, which empties into the Mediterranean Sea via the same-named delta.
The strange phenomenon that can only be seen from space
This vast river is particularly well-liked because of its significance in Egyptian culture and has a unique quality. The ancient Egyptians constructed a number of cities nearby, including Luxor, Cairo, and Alexandria, to capitalize on the fertility of its banks. The majority of Egyptians—roughly 90%—live along the banks of the Nile. This explains why the river world appears to have a strange appearance as the sun sets: from a distance, the lights of the surrounding buildings highlight the river’s path, creating an odd sight.
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at the University of Colorado posted the photograph, which demonstrates how these cities along the African river’s banks light up the entire river’s path. According to CIRA, “The numerous lights of the cities along its banks outline the path that the Nile River travels through the desert at night.” This image was previously taken by NASA’s Expedition 25 astronauts in October 2010 from the International Space Station (ISS). It shows how the populous regions along the river are lit up as night falls, with Cairo, the Egyptian capital, standing out in particular.
These are the challenges the United States will have to follow regarding leadership in space
Humanity requires strong nations to make responsible decisions, and the space economy needs a stable and tranquil environment. There is a genuine risk of making a mistake. For the United States, the significance of space cannot be overstated. For Americans, information from the dozens of satellites orbiting the Earth is essential to modern living, enabling everything from GPS-assisted car navigation to crop cultivation and inventory management. The United States’ ability to communicate with its military personnel, obtain intelligence, alert the public to a possible nuclear strike, and more makes satellites crucial to the country’s national security.
One strategic vulnerability is space. No other nation has as many strategic assets in space as the US. Dynamic American firms, especially SpaceX, have revolutionized space and launched thousands of commercial satellites, which are becoming increasingly crucial to the U.S. economy. Other nations, however, are doing the same. China, in particular, is expected to launch thousands of its satellites shortly. The situation is further complicated by the fact that China and Russia have found ways to divert, disable, or destroy the United States’ existing space assets, which mostly consist of satellites but also include ground stations and communication channels.
Among the methods are electronic warfare, jamming, and direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles. Furthermore, more than 40,000 pieces of space junk larger than 10 cm in diameter are already orbiting the Earth at up to 18,000 miles per hour, and the number of satellite payloads in low Earth orbit has doubled since 2018. This increase in space traffic and debris makes collisions more likely and threatens the lives of astronauts on the ISS and the stations being constructed by China and Russia. China, Russia, and the United States are the sources of most of the debris but are also wary of each other’s intentions.
In contrast to aviation, shipping, and telecommunications, the space economy lacks a single international authority that may adopt legally enforceable laws to manage congestion problems. The current situation complicates the development of space safety, security, and efficiency norms due to commercial space economy innovation, a surge in civil programs, and continued geostrategic tensions. As a result, adopting universally acceptable regulations is more important than ever.
