Visit the Guiana Space Center with Europcar

The Guiana Space Center

The Guiana Space Center (CSG) is a French and European launch base, located near Kourou in French Guiana, commissioned in 1968. The European Ariane rockets, used mainly to launch telecommunications satellites, are fired from this base. In addition to Ariane V, two new launch packages for new types of rockets are introduced, Vega and Soyuz. The base is jointly managed by CNES (its owner), Arianespace and ESA. The CNES report recommends French Guiana, which offers several advantages, such as low population density and wide access to the Atlantic Ocean, which reduces the risks in case of problems with the launcher. The sea front also allows for polar orbit satellite launches under optimal conditions. In addition, the area is not subject to earthquakes and cyclones.

The different launchers of the Guiana Space Center

Ariane

The first Ariane launch took place on December 24, 1979 with an Ariane 1, and today there have been more than 220 launches. Since the mid-1980s, Ariane has been the world leader in the commercial satellite market, with a market share of between 50 and 65 percent.

Soyuz

Within the framework of a Russian-European cooperation agreement, the Russian-European company Starsem was created in 1996 and the European Space Agency will use Soyuz launchers for its own launches. The first launch of a Soyuz took place in October 2011.

Vega

Arianespace's family of commercial launchers has been expanded to include a light launcher, Vega, as part of an ESA program. About 30 meters high, this rocket can place satellites weighing less than 2 metric tons into low earth orbit. The first qualification flight took place on February 13, 2012.

Come to a launch and leave with stars in your eyes!

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Renting a car in Guyana is one of the best ways to explore and experience all that the country has to offer, from its vibrant culture and cities to its beautiful countryside.

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Want to know more about Guyanese culture?

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