We and our partners do the following data processing based on your consent: store and/or access information on a device, personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development US Space Force confirms weapons deployed in space for first time The US Space Force has confirmed for the first time that Washington has weapons deployed in orbit, as the United States, China and Russia expand military capabilities in space. The disclosure highlights a growing focus on controlling the space domain and protecting satellites vital to military communications, surveillance and navigation. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is prepared for launch with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 29, 2026. © Joe Skipper, The United States has weapons deployed in space, the US Space Force said on Monday, confirming the presence of such capabilities in orbit for the first time.
"The US has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action," a US Space Force spokesperson said in a statement that did not provide specifics on the weapons. "Space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest and control the space domain – employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities," the statement said, adding that "these capabilities can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes." Read more'Passengers or pilots?' Europe looks to challenge US dominance in space sector with €10 billion plan Both Russia and China – the two main geopolitical rivals of the United States – pose potential threats to US interests in space. China "develops and operates space and counterspace capabilities as part of a military modernisation strategy," while Russia "views space as a warfighting domain and believes space supremacy will be a decisive factor in future conflicts," according to the US Space Force.
Read moreWhose space is it? Europe scrambles as US rules satellite race The militarisation of space is as old as the space race itself – as soon as Sputnik was launched into orbit in 1957, Washington and Moscow began exploring ways to both arm and destroy satellites. The biggest worry was once about nuclear weapons in space, but the superpowers and other countries signed the Outer Space Treaty in 1967, banning weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
Since then, Russia, the United States, China and India have explored ways to fight in space outside of that treaty, including by targeting rivals' satellites, which are key for military communications, surveillance and navigation. A propos## Space: Europe urged to find its path, from crewed spaceflight to communications Macron calls for 'shared governance' of space at Paris summit 1. 1 ## Iran got Chinese satellite images before deadly strike on US troops, report reveals As it happened Middle East 2. 2 ## France apologises for diplomatic spat with US to lift block on new ambassador to Washington France 3. 3 ## Tens of thousands protest against far-right AfD party in Germany Europe 4. 4 ## Macron, Carney to visit North Atlantic French islands after Trump's map post Americas 5. 5 ## Sweden's centre-left holds razor-thin edge as exit polls show tight race Europe 6. 6 ## French police suspect Normandy train derailment was result of sabotage Europe © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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