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Europe’s benchmark launch vehicle and one of the most reliable in the world, made its 117th and final flight on 5 July 2023.

At Europe's spaceport various organisations work closely together to ensure the success of launches. Everyone of them has a specific role in the operation of the launch base.

Europe’s spaceport is the only launch site for ESA’s Ariane 6 and Vega-C launchers. Its purpose is to guarantee that Europe benefits from continual, reliable and independent access to space.

Vega, Europe's lightest launcher, stands out for its precision in placing small payloads in orbit. It is therefore highly prized for scientific and Earth observation satellites.

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.

The first launcher project developed by Europe, Europa 1 and its successor Europa 2 were failures. They would nevertheless lay the foundations for Europe’s next space success, the Ariane programme.

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.

: Europe’s spaceport invites you to a unique exploration combining memory, innovation and wonder on 20 September 2025, starting at 8 a.m., to celebrate European Heritage Days.