US fears stemming from Russian and Chinese space weapons.

"Adversaries like Russia and China are developing anti-satellite capabilities from both the ground and space. These weapons could be launched and deployed in the near future."Defense OneThis quotes General Robert Ashley, director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, speaking at the end of June.

Although the U.S. intelligence community has not publicly acknowledged that Russia and China are stepping up the militarization of space, a February report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence hinted at this possibility.

"Russia and China are continuously launching 'experimental satellites' to conduct sophisticated operations in orbit, including a number of devices that enhance space warfare capabilities. Some technologies intended for peaceful purposes, such as satellite testing, refueling, and repair, could also be used to attack enemy space equipment," the report stated.

In September 2014, Russia launched the Olymp-K satellite into orbit. It performed several unusual maneuvers and approached two Intelsat communications satellites at a distance of approximately 11 km.

"This is an unusual and worrying move," said Kay Sear, director of the company that operates the communications satellite. Russia's action prompted the Pentagon to hold several secret meetings. Since then, observers have warned about three other Russian maneuvering satellites in orbit.

General Ashley's statement comes as US President Donald Trump has just requested the Pentagon to quickly establish the Space Force (SF), the sixth branch of the US armed forces.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) prohibits member states, including the United States, from deploying nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth. Countries are also forbidden from testing weapons in space, building military bases on the Moon, and other planets.

In March, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Michael Griffin said Washington could revive a plan developed in the late 1980s to deploy neutron beam emitters into space to attack missiles on the ground or objects in space.

Observers believe that the US establishment of the Space Force risks triggering a new arms race between major powers. Moscow warns that if Washington's newly established force deploys nuclear weapons in space, humanity could face catastrophic extinction.