Technical assistance for launches
Snecma’s Kourou facility and the Guiana Space Center are located in French Guiana, an overseas department of France in South America, bordered to the north by Surinam and to the south by Brazil.
The Kourou facility is directly involved in the preparation of Ariane 5 launchers. This task is handled by about 30 local staff, plus personnel from Snecma’s Vernon plants, as well as Snecma Propulsion Solide (also a Safran company), seconded to Kourou for each launch.
The Kourou site also welcomes Safran personal seconded to Europropulsion (a joint subsidiary of Avio and Safran) and to our two customers (Arianespace for launch operations and French space agency CNES for laboratory work and ground support equipment.
Expertise
Integration and preparation of space engines and equipment
Snecma’s mission specialists have all the cutting-edge skills required for Ariane launch campaigns. Their expertise in mechanical engineering, fluids, storable and cryogenic propellants, process control and measurement is fully recognized by our customer Arianespace.
Chemistry laboratorie
Snecma is responsible for all "laboratory" work at the Guiana Space Center
Ground installations and test facilities tailor-made for a launch base
Because of Snecma’s proven skills in the construction, validation and operation of engine test facilities, French space agency CNES has chosen us for many projects. In particular, Snecma was chosen to validate the changes required for the new Ariane 5 ECA launcher, equipped with the Vulcain 2 main stage engine and the HM7B cryogenic engine for the upper stage. Snecma is also involved in the Soyuz and Vega launch units implementation.
Logistics
The Snecma Kourou site has the facilities needed (accommodations, vehicles, leisure areas) to welcome up to sixty mission specialists during launch campaigns.
Snecma Kourou
Bâtiment Galilée
Centre Spatial Guyanais - site ELA2
BP 815
97388 Kourou Cedex
Phone: 05 94 33 67 10
Fax: 05 94 32 15 61