Security

US Admits to Deploying Weapons in Space for the First Time

AI SUMMARY

The United States has officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space to protect against adversarial forces.

The United States officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space.
Air Force officials stated that deploying systems in orbit is essential to protect the country from adversarial forces.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits deploying weapons of mass destruction in space, leading major powers to pursue alternative defense options.
The US Space Force, established in 2019, has the dual role of defending US assets and conducting offensive operations.
US officials accused Russia and China of working to target US satellites and developing anti-satellite weapons.
In January, two Russian satellites reportedly shadowed dozens of European satellites.
Both the United States and Russia deployed satellites capable of targeting other satellites in 2024.