Troy E. The US Space Force justified the weapons deployment by citing its two biggest geopolitical rivals — Russia and China. Key points and original sources are listed below.

• Troy E. Meink’s comments were the first public acknowledgment of American weapons in orbit. The Pentagon has been preparing for potential conflict in space with Russia or China.S1

• The US Space Force justified the weapons deployment by citing its two biggest geopolitical rivals — Russia and China.S2

• Space becomes new battlefield as US confirms weapons deployed in orbitS3