United States Confirms Weapons Deployed in Orbit Amid Rival Threats

The United States says it has weapons already orbiting Earth.

The United States Space Force says these systems can help protect American and allied military forces.

Officials did not say exactly what the weapons are or where they are located.

They said the systems could be used for defense or offense.

They may use physical force or other methods to affect an opponent’s space capabilities.

The United States says China and Russia are developing military systems for space.

Space militarization began during the Cold War after the launch of Sputnik.

A 1967 treaty bans nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but it does not ban every conventional military system in space.