It is universally recognised that space weather can cause damaging effects on space and ground infrastructure. With society now reliant on space technology for communications, timing and navigation services, it is clear that protecting this vital infrastructure is of critical importance to governments across the world.

The study of what we now call space weather began in earnest in the wake of the Carrington event on 2nd September 1859. Following Richard Carrington’s observation of a rare white light flare on the Sun, the Earth was bathed in an unprecedented display of the aurorae, and the associated magnetic effects entirely disrupted compasses and the telegraph network.

In this panel we will discuss ESA’s upcoming Vigil mission and its central importance in the agency’s space weather service network, so that if we have another Carrington event in the next few years, we will be ready.