Name: Flight 1 — Callisto
Start: 2027-12-31T00:00:00Z
End: 2027-12-31T00:00:00Z
Location: Diamant Launch Area

Question 1

What rocket is launching Flight 1?

Accepted Answer

Flight 1 is launching on the Callisto.

Question 2

Who is launching Flight 1?

Accepted Answer

Flight 1 is being launched by National Center of Space Research, a government launch provider founded in 1961.

Question 3

Where is Flight 1 launching from?

Accepted Answer

Flight 1 is launching from Diamant Launch Area at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is Flight 1 heading to?

Accepted Answer

Flight 1 is heading to Suborbital (Sub).

Question 5

Is the Callisto reusable?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Callisto is designed to be reused, with boosters that can fly multiple missions.

Question 6

What is the Flight 1 mission?

Accepted Answer

First test flight of the Callisto VTVL demonstrator.

Question 7

Where is the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) is Europe's spaceport, near Kourou in French Guiana on the north-east coast of South America. It has been operational since 1968.

Question 8

Who operates the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

France's space agency CNES runs the site, the European Space Agency (ESA) owns the launch infrastructure, and Arianespace operates the launch services.

Question 9

Which rockets launch from Kourou?

Accepted Answer

Current launches fly Ariane 6 from the ELA-4 complex and the lighter Vega-C from its dedicated pad. The James Webb Space Telescope launched from here on an Ariane 5 in 2021.

Question 10

Why launch from French Guiana?

Accepted Answer

Sitting just 5° north of the equator, the spaceport gives rockets a strong eastward boost from Earth's rotation and a clear path out over the Atlantic — a major advantage for reaching the geostationary orbits many large satellites need.

Flight 1

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Diamant Launch Area

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions