Page 4 - First Command News Today

Brazilian federal agents aboard three helicopters descended on an illegal mining site on Tuesday in the Amazon rainforest. They were met with gunfire, and the shooters escaped, leaving behind an increasingly familiar find for authorities: Starlink internet units.

Illegal miners and those destroying the forest had to contend with bad access to the outside world. Not anymore.

Elon Musk's satellite internet project is a boon for isolated communities in the Amazon, although some of those communities are criminal operations.

Brazilian federal agents aboard three helicopters descended on an illegal mining site this week in the Amazon rainforest. They were met with gunfire, and t

Musk brought internet to Brazil’s Amazon. Criminals love it.

Musk brought internet to Brazil’s Amazon. Criminals love it.

The high-speed internet system of Elon Musk’s SpaceX has also proved a new and valuable tool for Brazil’s illegal miners, with reliable service for coordinating logistics, receiving advance warning of law enforcement raids and making payments without flying back to the city.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet, Starlink, has spread rapidly in the Amazon rainforest, providing high-speed connection in remote areas. Brazilian authorities have seized Starlink internet units, a valuable tool for criminals, in illegal mining sites.

Starlink, of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides internet to Brazil's Amazon rainforest. See how the satellites are helping illegal miners and criminals.

Starlink, of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides internet to Brazil's Amazon rainforest. See how the satellites are helping illegal miners and criminals.