ESA at Europe’s Spaceport
Known in French as the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is Europe’s gateway to space from where all ESA-developed launchers have been launched, offering guaranteed access to space with the Vega and Ariane family of rockets for over 45 years.
ESA maintains a small team at the Spaceport to act as its representative in French Guiana.
At the Spaceport, ESA is the owner of the launch infrastructure for the Ariane 6 and Vega-C launchers. This includes launcher and satellite preparation buildings, launch operation facilities and the launcher production facilities for the Ariane 6 solid propellant boosters that are largely manufactured and integrated at the Spaceport.
ESA finances two thirds of the fixed costs of the Spaceport and contributes to the funding of the launch sites.
As well as representing the Agency and its Member States at the Spaceport, the ESA office is also responsible for:
- monitoring the implementation of the contract between ESA and CNES for the running of the Spaceport;
- participating in strategic decision-making processes, particularly those concerned with planning, industrial policy and public relations;
- monitoring the participation of European industry;
- hosting VIPs, government delagations and other ESA guests visiting the site;
- ensuring that the European dimension of the centre is highlighted.
As Europe’s space economy grows with companies and initiatives such as the European Launcher Challenge, new launch service providers are going to be using the spaceport’s unique location and facilities to launch in all directions, from East to North.
To accommodate these changes, ensure autonomous access to space and more, the framework for Europe’s spaceport was updated in 2024 to outline the evolved responsibilities for governance, funding, and operational use. The new agreement between the French government and the European Space Agency covers up to 2035 and paves the road for continuing exploitation of the ESA-developed Ariane and Vega launchers and ensures that the spaceport is ready for new launch service providers.
