The French space agency CNES has officially inaugurated the Guiana Space Centre’s ELA-4 launch complex. The facility will be used to launch Europe’s next-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
On 28 September, representatives from the French Minister for Overseas Territories, CNES, ESA, Arianespace, ArianeGroup and the French Guiana regional authority gathered to inaugurate the Guiana Space Centre’s newest launch complex.
Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 4 (ELA-4) was constructed over eight years and cost more than $700 million. The project was two years late and over budget. However, with the first Ariane 6 launch only expected in 2022, the delays have not hampered launch activities.
The new launch complex is located between the Guiana Space Centre’s Soyuz and Ariane 5 launch complexes. ELA-4 consists of a concrete launchpad and all of the structures and systems required for final assembly and launch operations. In constructing the new launch complex, 900,000 mᶟ of earthworks were completed, 55,000 mᶟ of concrete was poured, and over 8,000 mᶟ of steelwork was constructed.
ELA-4 is the eighth launch complex built in French Guiana by CNES and its partners and follows in the footsteps of the Diamant, Europa, Ariane 1, 4 and 5, Vega and Soyuz launch complexes.
With work now complete on ELA-4, focus will shift towards preparing the site for the maiden launch of Ariane 6. Additionally, work on converting the old Diamant launch complex to support testing of ArianeGroup’s Themis next-generation reusable first stage demonstrator is also underway.
