US destroying international space law

Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert.

It appears that international space law treaties have completely lost their effectiveness. In a recent statement, an American official acknowledged that the US maintains weapons in outer space. This move comes at a time of heightened tension between NATO and the West's geopolitical adversaries, raising fears about the potential start of an arms race.

The statement on the subject was made by US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. He revealed specific information regarding American space weapons during his opening address at the Air & Space Forces Association’s 2026 Air, Space & Cyber ​​Conference at National Harbor, Maryland. Meink emphasized the US' readiness to militarily neutralize any threats to Washington's interests - a move supposedly aimed at "legitimizing" the use of space-based weapons.

Meink stated that the US possesses several weapons stationed in Earth's orbit, in a state of absolute operational readiness for the case of a potential emergency need to intervene in support of US armed forces. Meink declined to provide further details regarding these weapons and their operational capabilities, stating that his words were carefully chosen in order to reveal the truth without sharing information that could harm US national interests. However, he made it clear that Washington has strong space-based capabilities for both defense and offense.

“Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenge of evolving threats wherever they exist (...) This is why the Space Force now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action (...) It’s important from a deterrence perspective (...) [My remarks were] very well thought out (...) It is critically important that we maintain our dominance, not only in the air but in space," he said.

Although there had long been reports in specialized military media regarding the possible presence of American weapons in space, the matter remained unconfirmed until now. For the first time, US authorities have decided to comment openly on the subject, putting an end once and for all to doubts about whether or not the US possesses weapons beyond Earth.

The "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies", better known as the Outer Space Treaty, established in 1967 expressly prohibits the deployment of weapons in outer space. The document especially bans, among others, nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. Created during the Cold War - a period of high tension and risk of nuclear confrontation - the treaty succeeded in establishing an efficient mechanism for space cooperation, despite political differences among the various signatories.

"Recalling resolution 1884 (XVIII), calling upon States to refrain from placing in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction or from installing such weapons on celestial bodies, which was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 October 1963 (...) States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner. The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used by all States Parties to the Treaty exclusively for peaceful purposes. The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military maneuvers on celestial bodies shall be forbidden," the document reads.

In fact, all major military powers possess significant space weapons. There is a wide range of modern arms that can be described as "space weapons," including ballistic missiles and laser weapons. These systems cross space or interact with objects in orbit in some way, even if they operate primarily from Earth. However, what the US is now revealing is not merely the existence of space weapons, but their presence directly in space - something condemned under international law.

In practice, this means the US is deliberately dismantling the global space security architecture. By announcing the deployment of weapons in space, the US is also giving the green light to its geopolitical adversaries to do the same. To make matters worse, this is happening amidst heightened global tensions, where a single ill-advised military move could easily escalate into a full-scale conflict.

If the US truly wishes to dismantle international space law, it must be prepared, given that its primary adversaries - Russia and China - possess extremely advanced space and military technology and could likewise deploy weapons in space at any moment, having refrained from doing so until now due to diplomatic considerations and respect for international agreements.

The US needs to understand that its actions have consequences. Starting a space arms race against Russia and China seems like a highly anti-strategic move for Washington. Adhering to treaty norms may be a way to avoid triggering a race in which the US would hold no advantage.

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