From BBC News · · 1m 30s
US admits it put a weapon in orbit
For the first time, Washington says it has an offensive weapon flying in Earth's orbit, and it won't say what it does.
In brief
For the first time, Washington says it has an offensive weapon flying in Earth's orbit, and it won't say what it does. Space has quietly shifted from a place militaries watch from to a place they expect to fight in, and the US just said so out loud. Originally reported by BBC News.
A first-ever admission
The US has confirmed it deployed a weapon in Earth's orbit. It is the first time Washington has acknowledged having offensive capabilities up there.
No details offered
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the "on orbit" weapon was needed to protect US forces from hostile action. He would not say what it can do or when it launched.
“evolving threats”
Why now
Military leaders point to Russian and Chinese programmes built to attack or disrupt US satellites in a future conflict. Space-based systems are also central to Trump's planned Golden Dome shield.
The treaty gap
A 1967 treaty banned weapons of mass destruction in orbit, and nothing else. Major powers have spent decades building capabilities in that gap, mostly aimed at each other's satellites.
Space Force goes on offence
Created in 2019 to defend US assets, the Space Force was pushed toward attack by a Trump executive order last year. A spokesperson described disruption, degradation and even destruction of adversary systems.
“These capabilities can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes at the direction of combatant commands.”
Satellites already under attack
Two Russian satellites likely intercepted communications from at least a dozen European ones since 2022. In 2024 the US said Russia launched a satellite that may be able to attack other probes.
In short
Space has quietly shifted from a place militaries watch from to a place they expect to fight in, and the US just said so out loud.
