Europa 2 (1971)

Founded in 1964 with ELDO (European Launch Development Organisation), Europe in space embarked on a quest for autonomous access to space, and more specifically to geostationary orbit, in order to capture the buoyant telecommunications market controlled by the United States. 

This gave rise to the Europa launcher project, the result of a joint effort by six countries. The first stage, Blue Streak, was manufactured by the UK; the second, Coralie, by France; and the third, Astris, by Germany. Italy built an experimental satellite, the Netherlands a telemetry station and Belgium a radio guidance station. 

The launches of the first version of Europa took place in Woomera, Australia, one of the programme’s partner countries. Each of the five tests of the complete launcher failed, leading to the withdrawal of England and Italy.

The missions expected from a European launcher changed, so the programme was reoriented. In addition to a redistribution of financial investments, it was decided to transform Europa 1 into a four-stage launcher capable of placing a satellite in geostationary transfer orbit.

On 8 July 1966, the CECLES (European Conference on Construction of Launchers and Space vehicles) council accepted the French proposal to build the launch pad for Europa 2 at the French Guiana Space Centre.

Europa 2 was equipped with a solid propellant fourth stage, capable of putting 360-kg satellites into geostationary transfer orbit.

Europa 2 would only fly once, on 5 November 1971, from Kourou. The ground installations worked perfectly, but after 150 seconds, the engines shut down and the Blue Streak stage exploded, causing the loss of the launcher. Investigation showed that a malfunction in the inertial measurement unit was the cause of the failure. 

On 27 April 1973, at the ELDO Council meeting, France and Germany decided to abandon Europa 2 in favour of the completely new and much more ambitious Europa-3B project. Europa-3B would never see the light of day, but its first stage would serve as the basis for the design of the first stage of the European launcher Ariane.

The Europa 2 rocket launch site was built as part of the ELDO programme and was originally known as the CECLES Equatorial Base (BEC).

The repeated failures of Europa 1 and 2, however, provided valuable experience. This is particularly true of the Europa 2 launch facilities. The desire to better protect ground facilities led to the geographical separation of stage preparation activities from erection, inspection and filling activities leading up to ignition.

Located 20 km from Kourou, Europa’s facilities included:

A launch zone with a launch table and a metal gantry. Inside, an umbilical mast provided the electrical and pneumatic connection between the rocket stages and the equipment. 

250 m away, the launch centre, with its circular buildings, housed a control centre and its annexes. 

1200 m away from the launch zone was the launcher assembly and preparation zone, including the preparation hall.

Mothballed after the failure of the first Europa 2 flight, the site was refurbished to become Ariane Launch Facilities No. 1 (ELA-1). It was used for Ariane 1 launches from 1979, followed by Ariane 2 and 3.