America has announced for the first time the deployment of a weapon in Earth orbit. Troy Mink, the Secretary of the Air Force of the United States, explained at the "Air, Space, Cyber" conference that this "weapon in orbit" is essential for protecting the country against hostile actions from enemies.
New threats and preparation to confront
Mink referred to the "evolving threats" at this conference and stated that his country is prepared to face these challenges. Although he did not provide details about the features and timing of the weapon's placement in orbit, this action demonstrates America's determination to strengthen military capabilities in space.
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Concerns over Russian and Chinese activities
Senior military commanders in America, especially in recent years, have pointed to Russia and China's plans to develop methods for attacking U.S. satellites. The previous administration under Donald Trump emphasized the importance of space-based capabilities and interceptor missiles as part of the "Iron Dome" defense system, aimed at protecting America from airborne threats.
The United States Space Force, which is the newest branch of the country's military, was established in 2019 with the goal of protecting national assets in space. This force particularly focuses on the hundreds of satellites used for communications and surveillance.
A spokesperson for the United States Space Force stated that "space control" must be achieved through missions that are essential for controlling the space domain. These missions may include the use of kinetic and non-kinetic tools to impact enemy capabilities.
In early February, two Russian satellites likely intercepted communications from at least 12 European satellites during the Ukraine crisis. This indicates Russia's determination to expand access to sensitive information through space technologies.
America also accused Russia in 2024 of launching a new satellite to attack similar orbiters. Meanwhile, China is also developing space and anti-space capabilities as part of its military modernization strategy, positioning itself as a serious competitor in the space arena.
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