Centre Spatial Guyanais

What Centre Spatial Guyanais does

Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), branded "Europe's Spaceport," is a government-operated space launch complex located in Kourou, French Guiana, in continuous operation since 1968. The facility is owned and operated by CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales), France's national space agency, under co-management with the European Space Agency (ESA), and serves as Europe's primary and only operational spaceport for sovereign and commercial launch access.

The core technology portfolio comprises two active European launch vehicle families — the heavy-lift Ariane 6 (manufactured by ArianeGroup, including the heavy Ariane 64 variant with P160C boosters) and the light-lift Vega-C — supported by an extensive ground infrastructure footprint. Notable facilities include the ELA-4 launch zone for Ariane 6, the EPCU satellite preparation center with clean rooms, the Jupiter 2 mission control room, the BEAP solid rocket motor test bench (unique in Europe), the Pariacabo port on the Kourou River for component logistics, tracking radars and telemetry antennas, an on-site meteorological station, and production plants for solid propellants and liquid ergols. CSG is currently transitioning into a multi-operator model through the ELM (Ensemble de Lancement Multi-lanceurs) complex, onboarding private micro and mini-launcher operators including Sirius Space, PLD Space, and MaiaSpace alongside legacy institutional customers.

The business model is primarily sovereign-funded through CNES, ESA, and French government budgets, with revenue mechanics spanning (i) launch service infrastructure fees paid by satellite operators and channeled through Arianespace, (ii) institutional program funding for Ariane and Vega development, and (iii) ancillary tourism and education revenue through Guyaspace Expérience (€10 adult / €6 child admission) and educational outreach programs that reached 10,500 young people in 2025. Customer segments include commercial satellite operators (Amazon/Kuiper, SES, Eutelsat), European and international space agencies (ESA, NASA), defense (French Ministry of Defense SYRACUSE), Galileo navigation, and the emerging New Space launcher cohort. Pricing for B2B launch services is not publicly disclosed; only consumer-facing visit pricing is published.

Name

Centre Spatial Guyanais

Legal name

Centre Spatial Guyanais

Website

https://centrespatialguyanais.cnes.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre Spatial Guyanais is Europe's only spaceport, a government-operated launch complex in Kourou, French Guiana, managed by CNES with ESA. It supports Ariane 6 and Vega-C launches, satellite integration, and is transitioning to a multi-operator model with new private launchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Launch Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (9271)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Segment Systems (Ground Stations, TT&C, Mission Ops) (IMABACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)

Keywords

• Space launch services
• Satellite integration
• Payload preparation
• Launch infrastructure
• Mission control operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Kourou

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Core operations funded by CNES, ESA, and French government budgets. CNES is a French government agency.
2. Launch Services: Provides launch infrastructure and services to satellite operators through Arianespace and ESA contracts
3. Tourism and Public Visits: Revenue from Guyaspace Experience museum admissions, public launch viewing, and facility tours

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) is Europe's primary spaceport, located in Kourou, French Guiana. It provides comprehensive space launch services including launch pad operations, satellite preparation and integration in clean rooms, mission control via the Jupiter 2 control room, tracking and telemetry, propellant production, and solid rocket motor testing. It supports the heavy-lift Ariane 6 and light-lift Vega-C launchers, and is opening to new commercial micro/mini-launcher operators.

Product overview

Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) is Europe's Spaceport, a comprehensive space launch complex operated by CNES in French Guiana since 1968. The facility operates two primary launch vehicle families: the heavy-lift Ariane 6 and the light-lift Vega-C, both designed and manufactured by European industry. Beyond launch operations, CSG provides satellite preparation services through the EPCU facilities, maintains production plants for rocket propellants and fluids, operates tracking and telemetry systems, and hosts the Jupiter 2 control room for mission coordination. The site also welcomes visitors through Guyaspace Expérience, an immersive museum and education center, and offers various public programs including launch observation experiences. The CSG functions as a multi-operator platform, with recent expansion to accommodate new commercial launch providers alongside institutional European missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guyaspace Expérience: Visitor center and educational facility at the CSG offering immersive space exploration experiences
• Guyaspace Expérience

Products and services

• Ariane 6 Launch Services
• Vega-C Launch Services
• Jupiter 2 Control Room Services
• Launch Installation Services
• Satellite Preparation Facilities (EPCU)
• Telemetry and Localization Systems
• Weather Station Services
• Production Facilities Services
• BEAP Solid Rocket Motor Testing
• Port of Pariacabo Logistics
• Guyaspace Expérience Visitor Center
• Public Visits and Educational Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 successful launches in 2021 with 21 satellites placed in orbit
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MaiaSpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026French small launcher company establishing operations at the ELM (Ensemble de Lancement Multi-lanceurs) complex at CSG.
• PLD SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Spanish small launcher company signed contract with CNES for a new launch pad at CSG, expanding the multi-operator launch complex.
• Sirius SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022New Space operator selected to operate from the former Diamant launch site at CSG, representing the opening of European spaceport to private small launcher operators.
• ArianeGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022European launch vehicle manufacturer producing Ariane 6 and Vega-C; key partner for launcher production and operations at CSG. Coordinates Territoire d'Industrie program.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968ESA is the co-manager of Europe's Spaceport alongside CNES. ESA oversees European launcher programs (Ariane, Vega) and contracts launch services. CSG operates under ESA authority for European space access.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968CNES is the owner and co-manager of the CSG. As France's national space agency, CNES operates the launch base on behalf of ESA and Europe.
• ArianespacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaunch services company commercializing Ariane and Vega launches from CSG to satellite operators worldwide.
• Office National des Forêts (ONF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner60-year partnership renewed in 2026 for forest management, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. Joint environmental monitoring and public access to forest trails.
• Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal territorial government partnered with CNES for 22.78M€ European program funding; CNES contributes territorial development and economic support.
• Rectorat de GuyanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational authority partnered with CNES for student scholarships, school programs, and educational initiatives from kindergarten to university.
• Université de GuyanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university with CNES involvement in administration (presiding IUT de Kourou), research funding, PhD co-financing, and space applications research.
• Air Liquide Spatial GuyanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of liquid hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, helium and other gases for launcher propellants and operations, operating at CSG since 1970.
• Guyane Connect' (Station K FabLab)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation initiative combining CNES, ArianeGroup, Rectorat and University to support local innovation through digital fabrication lab in Kourou.
• Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris (BSPP)coreOthersApproximately 80 firefighters from Paris deployed at CSG for fire safety, industrial support, and emergency response during launch operations.
• Forces Armées de GuyanecoreOthersFrench military forces in Guyana ensuring exterior security of the space base, particularly reinforced before launches to prevent intrusions.
• Union des Employeurs de la Base Spatiale (UEBS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation of 40+ companies at CSG; runs the Bureau Local des Compétences for employment, internships and apprenticeships placement.
• Lum@link (SPLANG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubmarine cable project linking French Guiana to Europe, co-financed by CNES, strengthening digital connectivity for the territory and CSG.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mahia Launch Complex (Rocket Lab): Private-operator-owned spaceport in New Zealand supporting Electron and Neutron launches. While owned by a single commercial operator rather than a government agency, it serves the same small-launcher and responsive-launch mission class that CSG's new ELM complex is targeting.
• SpaceX Starbase: Private orbital launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, supporting Starship development and operations. Represents the private-sector model of a vertically integrated, rapidly iterating launch site that sets the competitive benchmark for cost and cadence globally.

Regional players

• Andøya Spaceport: Norwegian suborbital and small orbital launch facility under development for European micro-launchers. Represents an emerging European alternative spaceport that could compete with CSG's ELM for small-launcher customers.

Direct peers

• Baikonur Cosmodrome: Russia's historic federal space launch facility leased and operated for Soyuz and Proton launches, including institutional and international customer missions. Closest historical analog to CSG as a national flagship spaceport supporting crewed and uncrewed institutional launches.
• Vandenberg Space Force Base: US West Coast launch range specializing in polar and high-inclination orbits. Comparable to CSG in providing government-managed, multi-user launch infrastructure for institutional and commercial payloads, with a similar mix of range safety, integration, and tracking responsibilities.
• Cape Canaveral Space Force Station: Adjacent US military space launch range hosting Falcon 9, Atlas V, and upcoming Vulcan launches. Provides a direct operational and capability parallel to CSG's role as the launch site for European government and commercial missions under a defense-managed framework.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre: ISRO's primary launch site supporting PSLV, GSLV, and SSLV missions. Functions as India's government-operated spaceport with integrated launch, integration, and tracking capabilities for institutional and emerging commercial customers.
• Tanegashima Space Center: JAXA's primary orbital launch facility in Japan, supporting H-IIA/H3 and Epsilon launchers. Operates as a national space agency-managed spaceport serving institutional customers and a small number of commercial rideshare missions, paralleling CSG's role for ESA.
• Kennedy Space Center: NASA's primary crewed and large payload launch site located at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Operates similar launch infrastructure (pads, integration facilities, control centers) and serves comparable institutional and commercial customers, making it the closest international counterpart to CSG as a multi-user government spaceport.
• Wenchang Space Launch Site: China's newest coastal spaceport supporting Long March 5/6/7/8 missions. Functions as a state-of-the-art multi-pad government spaceport for heavy-lift and crewed missions, with comparable equatorial positioning benefits and modern launch complex infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EuropeSpacePort
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cnescsg?sub_confirmation=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSGCentreSpatialGuyanais
• Instagraminstagram.com/centrespatialguyanais
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-spatial-guyanais

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre Spatial Guyanais