New Step For The Soyuz Launches From French Guiana

French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin announced that an agreement has been reached concerning the funding of Soyuz launch facilities in French Guiana.

By Space Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published December 16, 2004 · Updated March 15, 2026

French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin announced that an agreement has been reached concerning the funding of Soyuz launch facilities in French Guiana.

France will bring its guaranty to the loan requested by Arianespace from the BEI (European Bank of Investment).

The works for the new launch pad dedicated to the Russian launcher, estimated 340 millions euros, can then begin in Kourou. 121 millions euros of this amount will be paid by the BEI loan.

Soyuz is due to be launched by Arianespace for the first time in 2007 and will complement the European heavy-class Ariane 5 and small Vega launchers.

Written by

Space Daily Editorial Team

The Space Daily Editorial Team produces content across our two editorial pillars: space industry news and Mind & Meaning. We cover launches, missions, satellites, defense, and the technology of getting humans to space, alongside the psychology of ambition, isolation, and meaning under extremes. Articles reflect our team's collective editorial process, source verification, drafting, technical review, and editing, rather than a single writer's work. Space Daily takes editorial responsibility for content under this byline. For more on how we work, see our editorial policy.