Soyuz launch site

The Soyuz launch site is located in the northwest part of the Guiana Space Centre (CSG).

The launch site in Kourou is almost identical to the other Soyuz facilities in Kazakhstan and Russia. The most visible difference is a mobile gantry, which allows payloads to be installed on the launcher vertically. The structure of the mobile gantry is now complete and the metallic siding installed. Its total height is 52 m to the top of its curved roof, and its internal movable work platforms provide access to the launcher at various levels up to a height of 36 m. The gantry is a lightweight structure: about 800 t.

The gantry provides a protected environment for the installation of payloads, as well as for the checkout of fully-integrated vehicles. Its parked position is 80 m from the launch platform.