The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Europe's Spaceport is located in Kourou, in the northeast of South America in French Guiana.
Its proximity to the Equator allows launchers to make efficient use of the Earth’s rotation. The site also has direct access to the sea from the East and North, making it suitable for launches into Polar , Geostationary transfer and Sun-Synchronous Orbits.
The launch base includes the Ariane,Vega and Soyuz launch complexes as well as payload preparation facilities, tracking and telemetry systems, and meteorological facilities. It extends along a 30 km stretch of coast.