For decades, the idea of weapons in space belonged more to science fiction than everyday military reality. But that is changing quickly. The United States has built an increasingly sophisticated military presence in orbit, while Russia and China have developed their own counterspace capabilities.
Recent acknowledgments by US officials have made clear that some American space-control weapons are already operational, which has raised new questions about what is legally allowed in outer space.
So, is it legal for America to deploy weapons into Earth’s orbit? Click on to find out.