Disturbing violent incidents in places such as Juarez, Acapulco, and even Mexico City continue to occur, but companies such as Ford, Foxconn, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola, and HP continue to run a diverse array of operations in Mexico.

FORBES: The Mexico Paradox

But a solar storm has the potential to disrupt the shielding effect, and severe space weather can have harmful effects on a wide array of technological systems, including satellite operations, communications, navigation and electric power grids.

MSN: Solar storms sparked by giant 'magnetic rope,' study finds

Next week, they will order the spacecraft to unfold the telescope's 33-foot-long camera mast and test its array of 133 mirrors, then begin actual operations 23 days later.

WSJ: NASA NuStar Telescope to Hunt for Black Holes

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) : Headquartered in Paris with operations in more than 100 countries, Sanofi makes a wide array of drugs, including Allegra (allergies), Ambien CR (a prescription sleeping aid), and Nasacort (a nasal spray).

FORBES: Global Value Stocks Buffett, Lynch and Graham Would Like

Thanks to the relentless focus on risk from a broad array of threats, the CEO role requires extraordinary understanding of many disciplines, from finance to operations to technology.

FORBES: Managing Energy's Biggest Risk: Leadership