U.S. acknowledges for the first time that it has deployed a space weapon in orbit

The United States has deployed a space-control weapon in Earth orbit, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported, citing U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink.

“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist,” Meink said at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference. “This is why the Space Force now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action.”

This is the first time U.S. officials have acknowledged deploying a space weapon in orbit, Air & Space Forces Magazine said. Meink said the disclosure was deliberate and that his words were “very well thought out.” He declined to provide any details about the orbital weapon.

“Well, that’s huge, because I don’t think any U.S. government official has ever said that before. The U.S. also now has to accept the Chinese and Russians doing/saying the same. I don’t think that this is going to be in the interest of U.S. national security,” space security expert Victoria Samson told Defense One.

Asked what kind of weapon the United States might have deployed in space, Samson said it was likely space-based electronic warfare equipment rather than a kinetic weapon.

In 2024, the United States said Russia had deployed a satellite capable of attacking other satellites. That same year, the United States warned of alleged Russian plans to put a satellite carrying a nuclear payload into orbit. Moscow called the reports a “ruse” but blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution prohibiting the placement of nuclear weapons in space.