Agency
18/05/2026
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In brief
A contract has been signed between the European Space Agency and French space agency CNES to continue cooperation and investment in Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
The contract guarantees European independent access to space from French Guiana for up to another five years.
The European Space Agency is investing €635 million through its 23 Member States, complemented by CNES for a total of €1 billion to maintain and modernise the Spaceport for increased use and more launches.
In-depth
Aerial view of Europe’s Spaceport showing Vega-C launch pad
On 30 April European Space Agency Director of Space Transportation Géraldine Naja, and Director of the Guiana Space Centre at CNES, Philippe Lier, signed a contract for the continued operation of Europe’s Spaceport.
The signature affirms continued cooperation between the two organisations, supporting the performance, safety and competitiveness of European space activities.
Géraldine Naja said “This contract is not just an administrative document: it symbolises our cooperation, our shared ambition and our common determination to develop further Europe’s Spaceport here in French Guiana, a unique and exceptional asset for Europe.”
At the heart of operations at Europe’s Spaceport
Aerial view of Europe’s Spaceport showing Ariane 6 launch pad
The contract covers all activities required to operate Europe’s Spaceport that is on French territory and so falls under the responsibility of the French government represented by CNES. The contract includes both daily operations and running of the facilities and continuous upgrades to adapt the Spaceport to changes taking place in the space sector, including the arrival of new rockets and launch services.
The signature covers three years of operations, renewable for a further two years, including a total investment of over €1 billion with €635 million funded by the European Space Agency – showing the agency’s central role in supporting the operation of Europe’s Spaceport. In support of the transformation of the space sector, the contract takes new launch operators into account as well as sharpening safety requirements even more – ensuring launches from Europe’s Spaceport are reliable, safe and competitive.
European space autonomy
Technical centre at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana
Europe’s Spaceport is the pillar of Europe’s autonomous access to space – the capability to launch institutional, scientific and commercial missions ensures resilience and independence for Europe.
Through this commitment, the European Space Agency (ESA) and CNES confirm the role of Europe’s Spaceport as strategic infrastructure at the heart of European space sovereignty.
A longstanding partnership looking to the future
Ariane 1 launch in 1981 from Europe’s Spaceport
The new agreement follows from a long-term collaboration that began 45 years ago. ESA has supported the development of Europe’s Spaceport financially since 1981, helping it evolve and modernise to industrial and technological challenges.
Philippe said, “Our two institutions work together every day with a shared objective: to make Europe’s Spaceport a competitive, modern, flexible and sustainable operational base.”
The two directors praised the commitment of the ESA and CNES teams, whose work was decisive in bringing this agreement to completion with a shared objective: to guarantee Europe autonomous, reliable and sustainable access to space.
Europe’s Spaceport seen from space in 2017
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