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Monday, September 21, 2026 · UTC
Missions & Exploration

US Air Force secretary admits to space control weapons in orbit

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Sept. 19 the United States holds space control weapons in orbit, the first public admission of the capability.

Senior Space Correspondent
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US reveals space control weapons in orbit to defend against threats
US reveals space control weapons in orbit to defend against threats AI illustrationhow this picture was made
US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said on 2026-09-19 that the United States has 'space control weapons in orbit' capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary actions, the first public admission of such a capability.[2] Speaking at a specialized conference in Maryland, Meink described the weapons as a means to defend the Joint Force against hostile adversary actions.[2] The statement follows a 2026-06-25 assessment from Jamie Matthews, a professor of astronomy at the University of British Columbia, that the United States does not currently possess the technologies required for combat in lunar space.[1]
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  1. Jamie Matthews, a professor of astronomy at the University of British Columbia, stated on 2026-06-25 that the United States does not currently possess the technologies required for combat in lunar space. · Lenta.ruRussia
  2. On 2026-09-19, US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said at a specialized conference in Maryland that the United States has 'space control weapons in orbit' capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary actions, marking the first public admission of such capability. · El Tiempo
The one we could place publishes from Russia. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.