The United States of America has officially confirmed the placement of space weapons in Earth orbit. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meinke said, that such an orbital system is necessary to protect American forces from enemy action. Speaking at a conference on air issues, space and cyberspace, he emphasized the readiness of the United States to confront evolving threats, without revealing details about the weapon's capabilities or its launch date.
The placement of weapons is carried out against the background of plans to strengthen military capabilities
in space, caused by the respective programs of Russia and China, aimed at damage
and disruption of American satellites. In response, China called on the US to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for a war in outer space. Official representatives of the US Space Force noted, that control of outer space involves the use of kinetic and non-kinetic means of disruption, degradation or destruction of the enemy's capabilities by the decision of the combat commands.
Experts assume, which is about electronic warfare systems or, less likely, kinetic means of damage, able to create space debris. The deployment of such capabilities is considered an element of the Golden Dome missile defense system and corresponds to the executive order of the US President regarding the role of the Space Force not only
in defense, and in offensive actions. Contract 1967 prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, however, the leading powers continue to develop other means of influencing satellites, which are critical for communication, observation and navigation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com