Soyouz advances

This work has been carried out by the Ground Segment development Sub-Directorate, part of the CNES Launcher Directorate (CNES/DLA/SDS), which is in charge of supervising major extension and development of infrastructures and facilities for the entire Guiana Space Centre, Europe's Spaceport.

The Sub-Directorate's main customers are ESA, which owns the launch facilities, CNES/CSG and Arianespace, in the context of their investment plan.  The main challenge to be faced is how to undertake large-scale works at a functioning base, without disrupting either the operational activities of the various users or the launch schedule.

Reminder

The establishment of the Russian Soyuz launcher in French Guiana is an ESA programme, in fulfilment of European ambitions to extend its range of launchers to include the heavy Ariane 5, the medium-sized Soyuz ST and the smaller Vega launcher.

The aim of the "Soyuz in Guiana" programme is to launch an improved version of the Russian Soyuz-FREGATE launcher (known as ST) from the Guiana Space Centre.

This essentially involves building and qualifying a Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) derived from the ones at Baikonur and Plesetsk, but adapted to French standards and to the specific characteristics of the Guiana Space Centre.

CNES has been nominated as 'System Architect', meaning that it is responsible for designing the entire launch pad, and is also prime contractor for the whole project, in which Europe and Russia are partners.

Read more on the subject :

Construction of the Soyuz launch pad

Inauguration of the soyuz launch pad