The Beginning of the United States' Presence of Space Weapons in Earth's Orbit

The United States has recently announced the deployment of space weapons in Earth's orbit. In this regard, Frank Kendall, the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, emphasized on Monday that what is known as "space control weapons" will be used to defend American forces on the ground. This action is considered a new chapter in the militarization of space and its transparency.

Emphasis on Threats from China and Russia

This announcement serves as a message to U.S. competitors, particularly China and Russia, and experts warn that Earth's orbit may become a fierce battlefield. Wars may involve targeting each other's satellites that provide critical services such as GPS, communications, and intelligence to military forces and civilian infrastructures.

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Limited Details on Space Weapons

The U.S. Secretary of the Air Force did not provide much information regarding the details of the weapons deployed in Earth's orbit. He emphasized that "weapons" have been deployed in Earth's orbit, but the timing, number, and type of these weapons have not been specified. Victoria Samson, Senior Director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, stated that the key term in this announcement is "weapons" in the context of "space control." She added that these weapons could be used for both offensive and defensive purposes.

Experts believe that these weapons are more inclined towards electronic warfare systems and communication jammers rather than kinetic weapons that directly attack targets. For example, Blake Bown, a university professor in the UK, speculates that these weapons may be a type of non-destructive anti-satellite weapon.

International Agreements and the Militarization of Space

The main agreement in this regard is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which calls on countries to refrain from placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth's orbit. However, this treaty does not explicitly prohibit the use of conventional weapons in Earth's orbit. These gaps pave the way for different interpretations and international efforts to expand military activities in space.

In response to this action, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned against the "militarization of space" and called for a halt to the expansion of U.S. military capabilities. Additionally, the Kremlin called for keeping space free from weapons and emphasized the need to continue efforts for the demilitarization of space.

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