US Military Confirms for the First Time That It Has Deployed Space Weapons in Earth Orbit

    The US military has officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed space weapons in Earth orbit. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink disclosed in a speech on Monday that space-control weapons are in orbit. According to him, these systems are intended to protect US and allied forces from hostile activity. This is the first time the US military has openly acknowledged the existence of such weapons.    Meink did not say what systems the weapons were, how they worked or how many had been sent into orbit. It was noted that he chose the wording in his speech deliberately and in advance. The Air Force also provided no further explanation. It is therefore unknown what threat prompted the weapons to be sent into orbit.    China has long been suspected of operating spacecraft capable of damaging other satellites. According to the US Space Force, Russia is developing a satellite that could carry a nuclear weapon. It has not been disclosed whether the weapons the US sent into orbit are intended to counter these programs.    Until now, the US had opposed destroying satellites in space because debris from such attacks poses a danger to other space objects and astronauts. It is unclear from the latest statement whether the weapons in orbit can destroy satellites. It also remains unknown whether the US has changed its previous position.