text: Space Operational Environment
  2-15. When viewing an OE, it is important to take a holistic approach and identify friendly, neutral, and
  hostile actors. An OE includes the interacting variables within a specific area of operations as well as
  connected regional or global influences, such as politics and economics. Each commander’s OE is a sub-set
  of a higher commander’s OE. This is particularly important to space operations due to its global reach and
  tactical impact.
  2-16. Understanding an OE is an on-going, iterative process that continues throughout an operation. The
  iterative steps are critical for a constantly evolving discipline like space operations. An OE consists of many
  interrelated variables and sub-variables, as well as the relationships and interactions among those variables
  and sub-variables. The space OE during planning will be different from the space OE at the start of operations,
  and will likely be significantly different from the space OE at the end of operations.
  CHANGING NATURE OF AN OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
  2-17. An OE is not static but continually evolves. This evolution results from opposing forces and actors—
  organizations and individuals—interacting and their ability to learn and adapt. As actors take action within
  an OE, the OE changes. It is critically important commanders and staff should not view actors as static; they
  constantly change over time. Actors may become less or more hostile over time. Commanders, staffs, and
  Soldiers must continuously reassess an OE for changing conditions. The complex and dynamic nature of an
  OE may make attribution and determining the relationship between cause and effect difficult.
  2-18. Fundamental to mission success is the ability for space operations officers to anticipate and analyze
  potential space-related problems and develop solutions. Based on their understanding and analysis of a
  problem, space operations officers select and apply the right solutions to perform required tasks. Further
  adding to the challenge, the space OE remains dynamic throughout all phases of conflict.
  2-19. Army space operators understand unified land operations to provide a space-focus to planning and
  analysis applicable to unified land operations. It is up to Army space operations officers on the staff to make
  sure the space OE is understood by the staff and space capabilities are planned and integrated into unified
  land operations in support of joint combined arms operations.
  2-20. Commanders must seek opportunities for exploiting success. As the environment changes,
  continuous analysis of the operational variables help reveal opportunities, such as greater cooperation among
  the local population of a town or the ability to advance forces along a previously unsecured route. To exploit
  opportunities successfully, commanders and staffs should thoroughly understand and appreciate the
  application of the operational variables.
  OPERATIONAL VARIABLES
  2-21. The OE is described in terms of eight operational variables. The framework for analysis conducted
  for any OE should always consist of all eight variables. The operational variables are fundamental to
  developing a comprehensive understanding of an OE. Operational variables are those aspects of the OE which
  differ from one operational area to another and affect operations. Operational variables describe both the
  military aspects of an OE and the population’s influence on it—they help improve situational understanding.
  2-22. Analysis of each variable, applied through the lens of space operations, contributes to a
  comprehensive understanding of the OE and how the OE may affect mission operations. By applying the
  operational variables to a specific OE, the space planner, in coordination with other planners, gains a holistic
  and detailed understanding of the OE. Analysis continues systemically to identify existing and potential
  relationships among aspects of each of the operational variables. A brief description, along with space-related
  considerations for each operational variable follows.
  Political
  2-23. Describes the distribution of responsibility and power at all levels of governance – may be formally
  constituted authorities, informal, or covert political powers. Covers everything from recognized state leader
  to the tribal leader in a local village. Conducting analysis using the space capabilities framework may reveal
  significant insights and understanding of the leaders, population, and OE.