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Space Force Deploys Space-Control Weapons in Earth Orbit

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 10:12 AM UTC · How we work

Center

China warns US militarization

The U.S. Space Force announced on September 14, 2026 that it has placed space-control weapons into Earth orbit.
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to halt further militarization of outer space.
The weapons employ kinetic and non-kinetic methods for offensive and defensive actions.
The Department of the Air Force declined to disclose the weapons’ type, quantity or testing.

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Treaty Compliance Assertion

The U.S. Space Force announced on September 14, 2026 that it has deployed space-control weapons into Earth orbit.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the deployment deters hostile rivals and preserves U.S. dominance in space.
A Space Force spokesperson said the on-orbit weapons can be used offensively and defensively.
Meink said the deployment does not breach the 1967 Outer Space Treaty banning orbital WMD.

History

Historical Context

In January 2007 China used an SC-19 missile to destroy the FY-1C weather satellite, generating over 3,000 trackable debris pieces and reviving fears of space weaponisation. The United States, which had not tested an ASAT since 1985, announced kinetic and non-kinetic space-control weapons on 14 September 2026. Chinese spokesman Guo Jiakun urged a halt, citing the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

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China warns US militarization

The U.S. Space Force announced on September 14, 2026 that it has placed space-control weapons into Earth orbit.
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to halt further militarization of outer space.
The weapons employ kinetic and non-kinetic methods for offensive and defensive actions.
The Department of the Air Force declined to disclose the weapons’ type, quantity or testing.

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