Guiana Space Centre
ActiveAs of 23 August 2026, the next launch from Guiana Space Centre is Ariane 62 | MTG-I2 on a Ariane 62, operated by Arianespace, scheduled for 27 August 2026 at 20:10 UTC from Ariane Launch Area 4.
Guiana Space Centre is Europe's primary launch site and one of the world's best equatorial positions. At 5.2°N latitude, rockets need almost no plane change for GTO, giving Ariane payloads a around 15% mass advantage over sites at higher latitudes.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 5.2317°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Kourou at 5.2317°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Kourou
From 5.2317°N, Kourou can reach 5 Starlink inclination shells: 28.5° (equatorial belt), 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Kourou would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±25° (primarily) — mostly tropical and subtropical regions. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Kourou: Europe's window on space
The Guiana Space Centre is Europe's spaceport, home to the Ariane and Vega rockets. Its most famous payload is the James Webb Space Telescope, lofted on an Ariane 5 in December 2021 on one of the most precise launches ever flown.
At roughly 5°N this is one of the most equatorial major launch sites in the world. An eastward launch from here gets a large free velocity boost from Earth's rotation, which is why it is so prized for heavy geostationary payloads.
Kourou — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Kourou and who operates it?
Guiana Space Centre is located at 5.2317°N, 52.7693°W in Kourou, French Guiana. It is owned and operated by CNES / ESA. The site has conducted approximately 400 orbital launches since its first in 1970.
What rockets launch from Kourou?
Current vehicles operating from Guiana Space Centre include Ariane 6, Vega-C, Soyuz (retired). Primary customers are ArianeGroup, ESA, Arianespace, launching Commercial GEO, Earth observation, scientific missions.
What orbits can Kourou reach?
At 5.2317°N, Kourou's minimum achievable inclination is 5.2° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The near-equatorial location gives an excellent GTO mass advantage. The site can reach orbits between roughly 5° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Kourou?
Yes — Guiana Space Centre hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 10 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Kourou?
Satellites regularly launched from Kourou include Commercial GEO, Earth observation, scientific missions. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Kourou built at this latitude?
Kourou's near-equatorial location at 5.2317°N is deliberate: equatorial sites maximise the Earth's rotational boost (around 465 m/s eastward velocity) and minimise the inclination change needed for GEO and GTO missions. This translates directly into payload mass savings.
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