In this seminar I will discuss the problem of severe space weather - risks, challenges, and solutions. Space weather is primarily driven by solar activity in the form of flares and coronal mass ejections, which in turn generate a variety of phenomena in the heliosphere and near-Earth space. Whilst the controlling physics is an important blue-sky research target in its own right, space weather is of rising practical importance because of its potentially severe socio-economic impact. As such, severe space weather is the subject of specific Government policy (the UK Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy) and listed on the National Risk Register. Meeting the space weather challenge is based on a three-pronged approach where the ability to monitor, and therefore forecast, space weather is crucial. In this context I will introduce the ESA Vigil space weather mission, which is planned to launch in the late 2020’s to the Sun-Earth L5 Lagrange point. I will describe the work that Imperial is undertaking to deliver a magnetometer as part of the space weather monitoring payload, and highlight the central role the UK is playing in Vigil. Finally, space weather is part of the wider challenge to ensure that the future of space is safe, secure and sustainable. We will conclude by taking a wider view of how our use of space is changing dramatically, and consider some of the future challenges we collectively face.