World News
U.S. Confirms for the First Time: Weapons Are Now in Orbit Around Earth
The U.S. Air Force secretary has confirmed for the first time that America has weapons in orbit around Earth. The Space Force says the systems are designed for both defense and attack, though their details remain classified.
IllustrationFor the first time, the United States has officially confirmed that it has weapons positioned in orbit around Earth for use in space warfare. The disclosure came yesterday (Monday) from U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink at the "Air, Space & Cyber" conference, after years in which the existence of such a capability had been viewed as an assessment rather than a confirmed fact.
Meink said: "Today, we continue to ensure that we are prepared to meet the challenges posed by evolving threats, wherever they exist." He added: "That is why today the United States has space control weapons in orbit that are capable of defending the joint force from hostile actions by adversaries."
The U.S. Space Force confirmed his remarks and clarified that the systems are not limited to defensive missions. A Space Force spokesperson told ABC: "These capabilities can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes at the direction of combatant commands."
According to the spokesperson, Washington has warned since 2007 about Chinese and Russian weapons testing and operational activity in space: "As a result of their actions, there is no longer a question of whether space is a warfighting domain." The Space Force believes that disclosing these capabilities could itself strengthen deterrence and prevent miscalculations by rivals.
Still, U.S. officials did not reveal which systems have been placed in orbit, how many there are, or when they became operational. Weapons designed for space warfare may include cyber tools, laser systems, or satellites capable of colliding with and destroying other satellites.
Concerns about a conflict in space are growing because of the dependence on satellites for GPS, communications, intelligence, and targeting data, alongside their civilian and economic uses. Destroying satellites could also create debris moving at enormous speeds, damaging spacecraft and other systems and making future launches and safe operations in orbit more difficult.
