US military confirms first-ever weapons in space
Image: Getty
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of… the US military?
The Pentagon this week acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed weapons in Earth’s orbit, opening space as the next potential global battleground.
Why it’s a big deal: Modern militaries rely on satellites for everything from communication and navigation to missile tracking, intelligence, and identifying targets, making control over what happens in orbit increasingly valuable during conflicts on Earth.
The modern military space race kicked into a higher gear in 2019, when President Trump directed the creation of the Space Force, the first new branch of the US military since 1947.
So, what did the US put up there?
While the exact details are locked up tighter than a space station airlock, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the US has “on-orbit space control weapons” capable of defending American forces against hostile action.
A Space Force spokesperson said they could involve “kinetic” means that physically damage a target, or “non-kinetic” ones that interfere without blowing the target up.
With specifics under wraps, experts and former officials have pointed to a few possibilities:
- Jammers that could interfere with satellite signals.
- Lasers or high-powered microwaves that could damage or disable equipment.
- Technology to grab another satellite and move it out of position.
In response to America’s space weapon announcement, China’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of “preparing for war in outer space” and urged Washington to stop fueling an arms race. Russia has also previously called for keeping weapons out of space.
But with only the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that bans nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction from orbit, it leaves the door open for weapons like jammers, lasers, and other systems designed to disable satellites.
Looking ahead…President Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile-defense project, signed in under executive order last December, includes plans for space-based interceptors, with a major test scheduled before the 2028 election.
The US space-based interceptor program has already gone from its initial contract to “flight-ready hardware” in less than a year, per Air Force Sec. Meink.
📊 Flash poll: Which statement comes closest to your view? A) America should deploy space weapons to proactively defend national security; or B) America should try to avoid placing weapons in orbit to help prevent an accelerating global space arms race?
See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that AI companies shouldn’t continue racing to develop more powerful models when they still can’t reliably predict or control how their advanced systems will behave. They argue that companies should instead slow down development and strengthen safeguards rather than waiting for a serious incident to force action.
- Others contend that the government should pause the development of advanced AI until stronger oversight is in place, and prevent companies from building systems that humans may no longer be able to control. They argue that recent cases of AI models evading safeguards, hiding their actions, and behaving in unexpected ways show that the technology is advancing faster than companies can safely manage it.
- “I Worked on Safety at OpenAI. This Is What It Should Do Now.” –Steven Adler, NY Times
- “Unchecked AI poses frightening threats to us” –Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards
- “Congress Should Follow California’s Lead on AI Laws” –Erika D. Smith, Bloomberg
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that AI companies should stop pursuing technology that allows advanced systems to improve and develop themselves, since the race toward greater autonomy risks reaching a point where humans can no longer reliably intervene, making complete human control more important than continued technological progress.
- Others contend that policymakers should resist sweeping restrictions on AI based on predictions of future catastrophe and instead hold companies legally responsible when their technology causes real harm, since the threat of lawsuits and financial consequences could push them to take greater precautions without limiting AI’s potential benefits.
- “Pause AI for Humanity’s Sake” –Peggy Noonan, WSJ
- “AI hysteria jumps the shark” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “Act on AI regulations” –Toledo Blade Editorial Board
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