Threat

When used in the context of space security, ‘threat’ generally refers to the danger to the security of a space system or any of its components, that is to say, the possibility of intended or intentional damage (involving agency, or done in a deliberate manner) to space systems. Threat is distinct from risk, which refers to the danger to the safety of a space system or any of its components, that is to say, the possibility of accidental or unintended damage to space systems. The identification of threats is not a straightforward task, as threat perception can be subjective in nature, due to the diverse range of actors’ and stakeholders’ interests and views of what can constitute a threat, and the fact that globally SSA and SDA are not perfect tools to identify and address threats.