Airbus to Build ESA's Satellite for Advanced Solar Storm Monitoring

Vigil satellite to offer early warnings of space weather from a unique vantage point, enhancing protection for Earth's infrastructure.

The €340 million contract for the Vigil satellite was signed by the European Space Agency and Airbus Defence & Space UK.
Vigil will be positioned at Lagrange point L5, allowing it to monitor solar activity and provide up to five days' warning of solar storms.
The satellite aims to protect critical infrastructure like power grids and communication networks from space weather disruptions.
Vigil will carry instruments from various international partners, including NASA and the US Naval Research Laboratory.
The mission is set for launch in 2031 and will be Europe's first 24/7 operational space weather satellite.