Technology and Science15 September, 20262 min read
U.S. Confirms On-Orbit Space-Control Weapons, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink Says
“marking the first time the US has publicly acknowledged having such offensive capabilities in space.”
“will use them to defend American forces”
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U.S. Space Force confirms on-orbit space-control weapons deployed to defend American forces. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced the capability at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference.
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On-orbit space control weapons
The United States confirmed for the first time that it has deployed “on-orbit space control weapons” in Earth’s orbit, with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink saying the capability is intended to defend American forces against “hostile adversary action.” Meink made the announcement Monday at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, and he did not provide specifics on the weapons or when they were put into orbit.
CNN reported that Meink said, “Today we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” while also refusing to expand when asked for additional details. The disclosure came as the United States pointed to China and Russia’s counterspace and space modernization efforts, including China’s “space and counterspace capabilities” and Russia’s view of space as a “warfighting domain.”
Reactions and what’s known
CNBC quoted Juliana Suess, an expert in space security at the German Institute of International and Security Affairs, saying, “It's a strategic consideration to not disclose what exactly this is,” and she described the weapon’s capability as potentially ranging from reversible interference to kinetic effects. CNBC also quoted Victoria Samson, Chief Director at the Secure World Foundation, saying the statement is “a very destabilizing statement by the United States.”
DW reported that a US Space Force spokesperson said, “The US has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action,” while adding that the statement did not provide specifics. In response to the US disclosure, DW reported China urged Washington to “stop preparing for war” in outer space, and Russia called for space to be kept free of weapons, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying, “We believe that space must be free of any weapon.”
Deterrence, treaties, and next steps
CNN said the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but “does not prohibit the use of conventional weapons in space,” leaving room for interpretation. Meink also tied the disclosure to deterrence and readiness, telling the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, “It is critically important that we maintain our dominance not only in the air but in space, and so we’ve had to take steps to make sure that when we’re threatened, we can take care of that.”
CNN reported that last December Trump signed an executive order calling US superiority in space “a measure of national vision and willpower,” with emphasis on developing next-generation missile defense technologies and countering threats including “any placement of nuclear weapons in space.” CNN further reported that the Pentagon has scheduled its first major test for just before the 2028 election, and that Meink said a US space-based interceptor program had moved “from initial contract to flight-ready hardware in less than one year.”