US Space Force officially confirms for first time it has stationed conventional weapons in orbit
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The United States has officially confirmed for the first time that it has stationed weapons in orbit. A spokesperson for the US Space Force stated on Monday that the US possesses 'space control weapons in orbit' capable of defending the joint force against hostile actions, though no details about the weapons were provided. The statement indicated that space control involves the use of 'kinetic and non-kinetic means' for both offensive and defensive purposes. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, signed by the US, Russia, and China, prohibits nuclear weapons in space but does not cover conventional weapons stationed on satellites or spacecraft. The announcement comes amid growing rivalry with China and Russia, which the US Space Force described as developing space and counter-space capabilities and viewing space as a battlefield. The article notes that hacking and jamming of satellites have also gained significance, with multiple nations exploring options for attacking rivals' satellites critical for military communication, surveillance, and navigation.
Source report
Bronze plaque with the coat of arms of the US Space Force on a natural stone wall Source: picture alliance/Zoonar | Richard Jones
The United States has stationed weapons in orbit and has officially confirmed this for the first time. While the Outer Space Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons in space, conventional weapons are not covered by the ban.
Official Confirmation
"The USA possess space control weapons in orbit," a spokesperson for the US Space Force stated on Monday, without providing further details about the weapons. The spokesperson added that the weapons "are capable of defending the joint force against hostile actions."
Space control encompasses the operational areas "necessary to control and defend space," the statement continued. This involves the use of "kinetic and non-kinetic means," which can be used "for both offensive and defensive purposes."
Background
During his first term, US President Donald Trump established the United States Space Force as a separate branch of the military in 2019.
Both Russia and China—the two main geopolitical rivals of the USA—pose potential threats to US interests in space. According to the Space Force:
- China is developing and operating "space and counter-space capabilities as part of a strategy to modernize its military."
- Russia views "space as a battlefield" and assumes that "dominance in space will be a decisive factor in future conflicts."
Legal Framework
Previously, the greatest concern was the stationing of nuclear weapons in space. In 1967, the Outer Space Treaty was signed by the USA, Russia, and China, among others. The treaty prohibits the stationing of nuclear weapons in space and states that the exploration of space should occur "peacefully." However, conventional weapons stationed on satellites or spacecraft are not covered by this prohibition.
Growing Threats
Hacking and jamming of satellites has gained increasing significance in recent years. Both Russia and the USA, as well as China and India, are exploring options for acting outside the treaty, including through attacks on rivals' satellites that are critical for military communication, surveillance, and navigation.
Source: AFP/doli
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US confirms for first time it has deployed offensive space weapons in Earth orbit