U.S. Confirms Deployment of Weapon in Orbit

The United States has confirmed that it has deployed an on-orbit space weapon, marking the first public acknowledgment by Washington of such a capability, according to BBC News.

The United States has acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed an on-orbit space-control weapon. [Photo: U.S. Space Command]

US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the “on-orbit” weapon was intended to protect US forces against hostile adversary action. He did not disclose the weapon’s capabilities or when it was deployed.

Speaking at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Monday, Meink said the US was prepared to respond to “evolving threats.”

US military leaders have previously said Washington plans to expand its military capabilities in space, citing Russian and Chinese programs aimed at attacking or disrupting US satellites in a potential conflict.

The Trump administration has also identified space-based capabilities and interceptor missiles as components of its planned “Golden Dome” missile-defense system.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth. It does not prohibit every type of conventional or other weapon in space.

The US, Russia and China have developed or explored various anti-satellite and other space-control capabilities.