The European Space Agency (ESA) officially opened the construction site of the Soyuz launch base in French Guiana in a ceremony attended by French authorities and representatives of all the European and Russian entities contributing to the project, the agency announced Feb. 26.

Excavation work began several months ago, and the first Russian teams are due to arrive before the end of the year to build the support infrastructure for the launch pad.

The project is being co-funded by ESA, the European Union and Arianespace with CNES as system prime contractor, in the framework of an ESA program.

The first Soyuz mission from the site is scheduled for late 2008.