US Confirms Space Weapons in Orbit as Space Militarisation Expands
The United States has acknowledged that it has deployed “space control weapons” into Earth’s orbit, marking a rare public confirmation of offensive and defensive military capabilities in space.
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink did not disclose how many weapons have been deployed, when they were placed in orbit or exactly what systems they involve. The announcement has raised concerns about a growing military competition in space involving the US, China and Russia.
Space weapons can include systems designed to disrupt, disable or destroy satellites. Such capabilities could target communications, navigation, intelligence and missile-warning systems that modern militaries and civilian infrastructure increasingly depend on. They can include jamming, cyber operations, electronic warfare and anti-satellite technologies.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but it does not explicitly prohibit conventional weapons in Earth orbit. This has left significant room for military competition involving counterspace technologies.
China has criticised the US move and warned against turning space into a battlefield, while Russia has called for space to remain free of weapons. Both countries are also developing and testing counterspace capabilities, including anti-satellite systems and technologies that can interfere with satellites.
Other countries, including India, France, the UK and Israel, have also developed or explored various military space capabilities.
The US says its space systems can serve both offensive and defensive purposes. Experts warn that openly deploying weapons in orbit could accelerate an arms race and increase risks to satellites and services used worldwide.
