A launch pad in French Guiana, formerly used for launching Russian Soyuz rockets, has been dismantled. The European Space Agency removed the main elements of the complex, including the 52-meter service tower, which was destroyed by explosion. Prior to this, key launch pad structures — supports that held the rocket before launch, and auxiliary masts — were cut, according to The Moscow Times.
The remaining infrastructure, such as technical buildings, railway, and fuel storage systems, is planned to be transferred to the French company MaiaSpace. It will use these facilities for launching a new rocket, with its first launches expected in 2027.
Cooperation between the European Space Agency and Roscosmos, which lasted for about 15 years, ceased after Russia's war against Ukraine began. During this time, 26 successful Soyuz launches were conducted from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana. After sanctions were imposed against the Russian space industry, Russia stopped participating in the program and recalled its specialists.
Now, the former Russian launch complex is being reconfigured for new European projects, and cooperation with Russia in this sphere is effectively complete.
The new Maia rocket, developed by MaiaSpace, will be two-stage. It is planned that it will be able to deliver payloads of various weights into orbit depending on the configuration — expendable or partially reusable.
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