US Space Force confirms weapons deployed in space for first time

The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed a space weapon in Earth's orbit, marking the nation's acknowledgment of offensive capabilities in space. US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stated during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Monday that the "on orbit" weapon is necessary to protect US forces from potential hostile actions.

Meink emphasized that the US is prepared for evolving threats, but did not provide details about the weapon's specific capabilities or the date it was launched into orbit. Military leaders had previously indicated plans to enhance military capabilities in space, citing concerns over Russian and Chinese programs aimed at attacking and disrupting US satellites in future conflicts.

The Trump administration has highlighted the importance of space-based capabilities, including interceptor missiles, as essential to its "Golden Dome" defense system designed to safeguard the US from missile and airborne threats. While the 1967 treaty prohibits weapons of mass destruction in orbit, major powers such as the US, Russia, and China have been exploring other capabilities outside the treaty, such as targeting rivals' satellites, which are crucial for military communications, surveillance, and navigation.

In 2023, President Donald Trump issued an executive order outlining the US Space Force's dual role in defending assets and acting as an attacking force. The US Space Force, established in 2019, is tasked with protecting American assets in space, including hundreds of satellites used for communication and surveillance. According to a spokesperson, the US Space Force's mission encompasses contesting and controlling the space domain through kinetic and non-kinetic means, including disruption, degradation, or destruction of adversary capabilities if necessary.

The spokesperson added that these capabilities can be utilized for both offensive and defensive purposes at the direction of combatant commands. In early February, Russian satellites were reportedly intercepted by at least a dozen European satellites since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, potentially allowing Russian intelligence services to access sensitive data or even take control of the targeted satellites.

In 2024, the US claimed that Russia had launched a satellite potentially capable of attacking other probes, although Russia did not provide any official response. The US Space Force indicates that China actively develops and operates space and counterspace capabilities as part of its military modernization strategy, while Russia views space as a warfighting domain and believes space supremacy will be a decisive factor in future conflicts.