Why has U.S. deployed ‘space weapons’?, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced the deployment of "space control" weapons in Earth orbit on September 14.
• These weapons are intended to defend U.S. forces against "hostile adversary action" in the space domain.
• The disclosure of these orbital weapons drew significant backlash and criticism from countries like Russia and China.
• The U.S. has withheld operational details of these weapons, stating that secrecy contributes to deterrence.

Space Weapons.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• Space control encompasses military activities necessary to control the space domain, as defined by the U.S. Space Force.
• Such weapons can employ both kinetic capabilities, involving physical impact, and non-kinetic methods like electromagnetic interference or directed energy.
• The U.S. Space Force war-fighting framework categorizes counter-space operations into orbital, electromagnetic, and cyberspace domains.
• The U.S. justifies its development and deployment by citing advanced counter-space capabilities demonstrated by Russia and China.
• The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit but does not restrict conventional weapons.
• Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty mandates states to have "due regard" for the interests of other parties in space.
• Diplomatic avenues, such as the UN process on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, exist for negotiating restraints.
• Countries can also raise concerns about threats to international peace and security before the UN Security Council or General Assembly under Article 35 of the UN Charter.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Space Control: Military activities required to control the space domain, including protecting one's own assets and denying adversaries.
• Kinetic Weapons: Devices that physically damage an object through impact or collision.
• Non-Kinetic Weapons: Systems that disrupt or degrade an adversary's capabilities without physical impact, such as jamming or directed energy.
• Outer Space Treaty (1967): An international agreement prohibiting weapons of mass destruction in outer space and regulating celestial body activities.