Soyuz mobile gantry

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 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.