Studying the impacts

To measure the impact of launches an Environmental Measurement Plan (PME) is rolled out for each launch.

The PME informs the interested parties of Europe's Spaceport (general public, administration, associations…) about the impacts of space activity on receiving environments (water, sediment, biodiversity). It is composed of physico-chemical measurements carried out for each launch as well as bio-monitoring measures throughout the year.

Find out more about the PME for Vega/Vega-C here.

The results of those measurements are summarized in reports sent to the Direction Générale des Territoires et de la Mer (DGTM), various scientific bodies, the city councils of Kourou and Sinnamary, and the SPPPI (Secrétariat Permanent pour la Prévention des Pollutions Industrielles). The results are also presented to the general public on this site. 

Consult the results of the Environmental Measurement Plan of the first launch of Ariane 6, as well as assessment of previous years.

Result of PME Ariane 6 VA262

2023 Assessment     2022 Assessment    2021 Assessment

2020 Assessment     2019 Assessment    2018 Assessment

2017 Assessment      2016 Assessment    2015 Assessment

2014 Assessment      2013 Assessment    2012 Assessment

The PME of Ariane 5 can be consulted here.

For older assessments, please contact us : csg-accueil[at]cnes.fr

CNES is subject to the regulations governing classified facilities, which aim to protect the environment from the risks associated with combustion facilities, service stations, satellite preparation facilities, the test bench for solid propellant boosters and the propellant destruction area. Accordingly, those activities at Europe’s Spaceport must be declared and authorized under the terms of prefectural decrees.

Infrastructure projects necessary for the development of activities of Europe's Spaceport such as photovoltaic fields or launch facilities for micro-launchers are subject to administrative files including, among other things, an impact study taking into account wildlife, Flora, aquatic environments, air quality, soils and subsoil …Following the studies and administrative procedures required (building permit, unique environmental authorization…), the projects are carried out in full respect of requirements set forth by the Prefecture. Measures to reduce and/or compensate for impacts may also be imposed during the construction or operation of installations.