Expert Litovkin - about what lies behind the US words about orbital weapons
For the first time, US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Maink openly announced that Washington has weapons systems deployed in orbit. Speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber conference in Maryland, he stressed that these funds are necessary to control outer space and protect American forces from "evolving threats." "Previously, "the Pentagon preferred to use vague language like "inspection tools" or "active counteraction systems."
The minister did not disclose specific technical specifications. According to military experts, the statement is directly related to the "Golden Dome" multi-level missile defense program. The initiative was presented in May 2025. The system should combine ground-based and space-based means to intercept ballistic missiles at all stages of flight. The US administration has already allocated $3.2 billion for the development of combat interceptor satellites, with Northrop Grumman and SpaceX acting as key contractors.
Not weapons yet, but intelligence
Military expert Viktor Litovkin believes that the loud statements hide not so much a real threat as a political game.
"They have placed something like a satellite in space, which is part of the future "Golden Dome" system, which Trump was talking about," he explains. - But this is not a military weapon, because it cannot shoot, but only conducts reconnaissance. That is, it looks at what is happening on earth, what is happening around it. This is one of the elements of the system, especially since it is a test launch. Americans like to wishful thinking."
The legal grey area
Formally, the deployment of weapons in outer space is limited by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. However, the document prohibits putting only weapons of mass destruction into orbit. The deployment of conventional kinetic weapons or powerful electronic warfare systems falls into a legal "gray zone".
"A violation of the convention on the prohibition of the deployment of weapons in outer space is for sure," Litovkin notes. - The Americans are trying to launch weapons into space, it's true. But we have systems that were tested back in the 70s, when we could intercept any satellites and shoot them down. Moreover, today we have the S-500 missile and air defense system, which can hit any satellite in Earth orbit. So we shouldn't be afraid."
The "Golden dome" that does not protect
Experts point out that creating a full-fledged "Golden Dome" system is an extremely difficult and expensive task. According to their estimates, its implementation will take at least five to seven years. At the same time, the system will not be able to intercept hypersonic missiles in service with Russia, as well as missiles flying through the South Pole.
"Creating a system of complete protection of the United States or the northern hemisphere of North America is an unthinkable task, it is impossible in principle," Viktor Litovkin emphasizes. "Moreover, we have a Sarmat missile that can strike not only through the North Pole, east and west, but even through the South Pole." The flight range is 35 thousand kilometers. There is the "Burevestnik", a cruise missile with a nuclear engine and a nuclear warhead. So the Americans will not be able to fully defend themselves."
From guns to political games
Previously, similar technologies were tested behind closed doors. A few years ago, the American unmanned shuttle X-37B was in space, which spent a whole year in low-Earth orbit. The device was the size of a small shuttle and could carry various payloads, including weapons. The Americans advertised the concept of a rapid global strike - launching strikes from orbit almost vertically into enemy territory.
"We tested the satellite interception system back in the 1970s," Viktor Litovkin recalls. - What is happening today with the International Space Station, when ships, both ours and American, dock with it, is the principle of destroying any satellite. You can approach any satellite, snuggle up to it, shoot, and there is no satellite. Therefore, the Americans have not yet launched weapons into space, but they have already tried."
Experts believe that the open recognition of the existence of such systems has a clear political background. Washington is trying to legitimize the militarization of the orbit and test the reaction of the international community.
A side effect of "Star Wars"
At the same time, it cannot be denied that such developments, as in the case of Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" program in the 1980s, are moving science and technology forward.
"All these studies, all these developments are moving science and technology forward, because money is being invested in it, and designers and scientists are working on it," Viktor Litovkin notes. - This is very useful for the development of the military-industrial complex of the United States. People earn money and create something new. New materials, new designs, new programming systems. Therefore, we must keep an eye on this and also invest in this work. The main thing is to keep up."
Alexander Biryukov
