US confirms deployment of space weapon in orbit
US military leaders have previously said Washington plans to expand its military capabilities in space.
The United States has confirmed that it has deployed a space weapon into Earth's orbit, marking the first time the US has publicly acknowledged having such offensive capabilities in space.
US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said yesterday (14 September) that the weapon is deployed "in orbit" to protect American forces from possible attacks by hostile forces, reports the BBC.
Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Meink said the US is prepared to respond to "evolving threats". However, he did not provide details about the weapon's capabilities or say when it was placed in orbit.
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US military leaders have previously said Washington plans to expand its military capabilities in space.
They have pointed to programmes in Russia and China aimed at developing technologies that could attack or disrupt US satellites during a future conflict.
The Trump administration has also identified space-based capabilities and interceptor missiles as key parts of its planned "Golden Dome" defence system, which is designed to protect the US from missiles and other airborne threats.
Treaty bans weapons of mass destruction, not all space weapons
A 1967 international treaty prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit. However, the treaty does not ban all types of weapons in space.
Since then, major powers including the US, Russia and China have explored other space-based military capabilities, including technologies that could target rival satellites.
Satellites play a critical role in modern military operations, providing communications, surveillance and navigation services.
In 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order highlighting the US Space Force's role not only in defending American space assets but also in carrying out offensive operations.
The US Space Force, the newest branch of the US military in more than 70 years, was established in 2019 to protect American interests and assets in space. These include hundreds of satellites used for communications and surveillance.
A US Space Force spokesperson said "space control" includes missions designed to contest and control the space domain. These operations can use both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to disrupt, weaken or, if necessary, destroy an adversary's space capabilities.
The spokesperson added that these capabilities can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes, depending on the direction of US combatant commands.
Russia, China expand counterspace capabilities
Earlier this year, it was reported that two Russian satellites had likely intercepted communications from at least a dozen European satellites since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The interceptions may have allowed Russian intelligence agencies to access sensitive information transmitted by the satellites. There is also a possibility, though not confirmed, that such operations could allow Russia to take control of the satellites.
In 2024, the US said Russia had launched a satellite that it believed could potentially attack other satellites. Russia did not publicly comment on the claim.
The US Space Force says China is developing and operating space and counterspace capabilities as part of its military modernisation programme.
It also says Russia considers space a battlefield and believes achieving superiority in space could play a decisive role in future conflicts.
The latest US disclosure highlights growing concerns over the militarisation of space, as major powers continue to develop technologies aimed at protecting their own satellites while potentially disrupting or attacking those of their rivals.
