The US says it has launched ‘space control weapons’. It plays into the hands of its enemies

igermz/Getty Images The US says it has launched ‘space control weapons’. It plays into the hands of its enemies Published: September 16, 2026 1:14am EDT https://theconversation.com/the-us-says-it-has-launched-space-control-weapons-it-plays-into-the-hands-of-its-enemies-292110 https://theconversation.com/the-us-says-it-has-launched-space-control-weapons-it-plays-into-the-hands-of-its-enemies-292110 Link copied Share article Share article

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US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink this week announced the United States has deployed what he called “ on-orbit space control weapons ”.

This public statement came as a surprise to many, but not for the reasons you may think. For many years now, China, Russia and the US have accused each other of weaponising space, or of creating an arms race in space. They have all consistently denied doing so. For the US now to declare it has space weapons, it seems like an admission that China and Russia’s accusations are correct.