U.S. confirms space weapons launch for the 1st time. Should you be concerned?

The U.S. has confirmed for the first time that it has sent weapons into space, but an air and space law expert says the action has no “legal significance” and that there is no indication the U.S. has taken any “groundbreaking” steps in its pursuit of dominance in the domain. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told the Air and Space Cyber Conference in Maryland on Monday that it has deployed “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”An on-orbit weapon is a system launched into orbit and designed to target threats from that position for the purpose of space control. 2:06 NASA launches new telescope into orbit Story continues below advertisement “We are increasing readiness against existing threats,” Meink said.He did not provide details on what the weapons are, how they operate, the nature of the threats the U.S. has identified, or if they are related to an orbital arms race with China and Russia.China, responding to the U.S., said Tuesday, “We urge the U.S. side to stop expanding its military capabilities and preparing for war in outer space,” according to a BBC report citing the AFP.Andrea Harrington, co-director of the ...