The Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Photo: DLR

[Via Satellite 07-13-2016] The French Space Agency (CNES) has awarded a $222.2 million (200 million euro) contract with Eiffage Civil Engineering company Eclair6 to build the launch facility for the future Ariane 6 rocket in French Guiana. The scope of the work comprises all Ensemble de Lancement Ariane (ELA) 4 structures, including the launch pad and its two flame trenches, the 6,000-ton, 90-meter high mobile service gantry, and a launcher assembly building.

CNES said the contract will offer significant employment and integration opportunities for the local Guianese population. Several local subcontractors and suppliers of materials and equipment will be closely involved in construction work, which is expected to require 50,000 cubic meters of concrete, 7,000 tons of reinforcement, 400,000 cubic meters of earth and 7,500 tons of structural steel.

CNES is the entity tasked with developing the ground facilities for the Ariane 6 program at the Guiana Space Center. Construction is scheduled for completion in October 2018, with the first Ariane 6 launch slated for late 2020. Initial earthwork for the new Ariane 6 ELA 4 launch complex at the Guiana Space Center finished at the end of May, more than a month ahead of schedule, under the direction of a Eiffage Civil Engineering and Eiffage Roads-led consortium.