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US Confirms Deployment of Space Weapon in Earth Orbit
The US confirms deployment of a space weapon in Earth’s orbit and acknowledges offensive space capabilities for the first time. The news highlights anti-satellite (ASAT) and counter-space methods, and it references limits under the Outer Space Treaty, 1967.
ASAT and Counter-Space Capabilities:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| ASAT weapons and capabilities | ASAT weapons and capabilities comprise systems for disruption, disabling, damage, or destruction of satellites. |
| Methods of counter-space operations | Potential methods of counter-space operations comprise kinetic attacks, electronic warfare, cyber operations, directed-energy systems, and co-orbital systems. |
| Outer Space Treaty, 1967: prohibited categories | The Outer Space Treaty, 1967 mandates prohibition on placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth or stationing them in outer space. |
| Outer Space Treaty, 1967: scope | The treaty does not provide for a comprehensive ban on all categories of weapons or military operations in outer space. |
| United States Space Force (USSF) | The United States Space Force comprises the first new branch of the United States military in over 70 years, established in 2019. |
| USSF: objectives | The United States Space Force provides for protection of United States space assets and interests. |
| USSF: key asset functions | Key assets comprise satellites supporting communication, surveillance, navigation, and military operations. |
| Mission Shakti | Mission Shakti (2019) comprises successful destruction of a low-Earth orbit satellite to demonstrate India’s ASAT capability, and it comprises India as the 4th country after the United States, Russia, and China to demonstrate ASAT capability. |
| Defence Space Agency | The Defence Space Agency (DSA) comprises a tri-service organization responsible for managing India’s space warfare and space security requirements. |