U.S. admission of space weapons seen as landmark moment in race with China and Russia

Paris/Washington – The U.S. acknowledgment this week that the Pentagon is operating weapons in Earth’s orbit marks a landmark moment in space militarization aimed at deterring what U.S. officials describe as aggressive orbital activities from China and Russia, officials and analysts said. Douglas Schiess said Tuesday that enlisted members of his military branch “operate on-orbit weapons that can defend the Joint Force against space-enabled attacks.” The service will make “disciplined and responsible choices” as it scales its orbital defense arsenal in the coming years, he added. Schiess’ remarks at a conference near Washington came a day after U.S.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the U.S.