posted 11-23-2022 05:01 PM               

For the general public, tours of the Spaceport with qualified guides are offered, but advance booking is required. A space museum with gifts shop is located on the public side of the Spaceport's nearby the Ariane 5 mockup.

Public visits

While access to the Spaceport is limited due to operational and safety considerations, it is possible for the public to experience the excitement of an Ariane liftoff and see firsthand how the Guiana Space Center operates. Advance coordination is necessary for visits to the Spaceport grounds.

Touring the Spaceport

Guided tours are conducted twice daily (Monday through Saturday, at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.).

Duration of the visit: 3:30.

Children under the age of eight are not allowed on the Spaceport's grounds, except Jupiter Control Room available for a visit with an adult. These tours are accessible free of charge, but reservation is required (lists are closed two days before).

For more information and reservations:

Phone: +594 (0)594 33 77 77
Email: visites.csg@cnes.fr

Watching a launch

Contact the CNES Public Relations Department in writing for invitations to view an Ariane or Vega liftoff from one of the different visitors' sites on the Spaceport grounds.

Provide complete address and title/status of guests wishing to attend the launch, and specify the age of children. Minimum age is from 8 to 16 years depending on the location of the viewing sites.

Arianespace posts the dates of upcoming missions on its website as soon as the dates are confirmed.

Visit the CNES website to request an invitation. Or send written requests by mail or email to:

Public Relations Office
Guiana Space Center
Post Office Box 726
97387 Kourou, French Guiana Cedex
Email: csg-accueil@cnes.fr

The Space Museum

Located on the public side of the Guiana Space Center, the Space Museum is the Spaceport's most accessible site. Exhibits trace the history of the launch base, as well as providing an overview of the Ariane program and European space activities.

"Walk through" a virtual version of the Space Museum here.

The museum is open for public visits from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday without reservation or advance approval.

Admission is 7 euros for adults and 4 euros for children (3-10).

For more information and reservations:

Phone: +594 (0)594 33 77 77
Museum shop: +594 (0)594 33 53 84
Email: visites.csg@cnes.fr

Kourou: a developed infrastructure

Kourou, the city nearest the Spaceport, has witnessed a dramatic growth that accompanied the Ariane program's success. It is home to many space center employees who are permanent or long-term residents, and has housing complexes set up for the visiting support teams from companies that produce elements and components of Ariane launch vehicles.

Room capacity in world-class hotels has been increased at Kourou and other locations in French Guiana to meet the needs of Arianespace customers and invited guests to launches.

Many restaurants are in operation, catering to the diverse tastes of both residents and guests. Arianespace took the initiative to create Freelance Service, a commercial company that sees to the needs of customer personnel during their extended stays in French Guiana while preparing their payloads for launch.

Freelance Service arranges tours and outings, provides movies and video programs for viewing, and helps out with the big and small details that make life away from home easier and more enjoyable.