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The result of a partnership between Russia and Europe, Soyuz in French Guiana offered customers a launcher capable of carrying satellites weighing between 3 and 5 tonnes, depending on the type of orbit.

Launched in the 1970s, the Ariane programme is inextricably linked with Europe’s spaceport. Built on work carried out by the French space agency, it is one of the flagship projects supported by Europe in space to achieve independent access to space.

Initially intended as the French launch base, Europe’s spaceport has transcended national borders to become the guarantor of Europe’s independent access to space.

Diamant, France’s first satellite launcher, began its career in 1965 at Hammaguir in Algeria, and went on to carry out eight launch missions, putting seven satellites into orbit from the French Guiana Space Centre between 1970 and 1975.

Before launchers placing satellites into orbit, the French Guiana Space Centre first hosted launches of sounding rockets.

In 1968, French Guiana became France’s gateway to space. More than half a century later, it has taken on an even more significant role to become the European launch base.

The French space agency/Local Education Authority grant awards ceremony was held on 18 July 2025 in the Jupiter room at Europe’s spaceport.

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, hundreds of pupils in French Guiana took part in immersive educational projects organised by Guyaspace Expérience. Lookback in pictures.

The CO3D and MicroCarb satellites have arrived in French Guiana for their launch on board Vega-C, scheduled for 25 July from Europe’s Spaceport. Check out a photo gallery of the mission preparations.

The French Space Agency (CNES) will add a brand new experience to Fortnite: Amazonia: Space to the rescue.

With just a few hours to go before the launch of the Biomass mission from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, here is a look back at the key stages in the preparation of this unique satellite.

On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at 6:15 a.m., as the sky over Kourou was bathed in the first light of dawn, the Vega C rocket successfully lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.