Pre-operational Vectors

Now that we have covered a wide range of mission types, and the targeting methodology and motivation involved in going after them, we need to understand the vectors from which threats will manifest themselves. Discussion on the vectors involves those with a witting actor with mal intent as well as some that do not. Pre-operational vectors are the ways in which threats could be made to reach the space vehicle (SV) or other aspects of the space system prior to the space vehicles becoming mission operational post-launch. These pre-operational opportunities are the most dynamically accessible ways in which a space vehicle can be affected and the overall space mission impacted. Every operational threat vector involves the SV already being in space and unreachable via typical physical means. Pre-operational vectors on the other hand run the gamut of physical and digital access methods.