Where is the Guiana Space Centre?

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.

Who operates the Guiana Space Centre?

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

Which rockets launch from Kourou?

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.

Launches from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Name: Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Address: GF

Upcoming and past rocket launches from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana — live countdowns, mission details, and launch history.

About Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) near Kourou in French Guiana is Europe's spaceport, operational since 1968. France's space agency CNES runs the site, ESA owns the launch infrastructure, and Arianespace operates the launch services.

Sitting just 5° north of the equator, it gives rockets a strong eastward boost from Earth's rotation and a clear path out over the Atlantic — a major advantage for the geostationary orbits many large satellites need. Current launches fly Ariane 6 from the ELA-4 complex and Vega-C from its dedicated pad.

Launch sitePublic viewing spot

Facts

Timezone: America/Cayenne
Total launches: 334
Total landings: 0
Coordinates: 5.1690, -52.6903
Operator: CNES (site) · ESA (infrastructure) · Arianespace (launches)
Active since: 1968
Latitude advantage
Active pads: ELA-4 (Ariane 6), Vega-C pad

Launch pads

Where to watch

CNES organises free public viewing on launch days from dedicated observation sites around the centre, with access arranged for each flight; casual views are also possible from the Kourou seafront.

Carapa observation site
An official CSG public viewing area, the closest of the organised sites to the launch zones.
Toucan & Agami observation sites
Further official viewing points used when safety distances require more separation from the pads.
Kourou seafront
Informal views from the town's beaches and waterfront, north-east of the launch installations.

Notable launches

Ariane 1 first flight
24 Dec 1979
Ariane 1 · ESA
The maiden Ariane launch (carrying the CAT-1 capsule), beginning Europe's independent access to space.
View launch details
James Webb Space Telescope
25 Dec 2021
Ariane 5 ECA+ · ASA
Launched on an Ariane 5 toward its orbit at L2 — the most powerful space telescope ever flown.
View launch details
Ariane 6 first flight
9 Jul 2024
Ariane 62 · ESA
The inaugural flight of Europe's new heavy-lift rocket from the ELA-4 complex.
View launch details