Arianespace ceases launches from French Guiana
March 17, 2020
By Chris Forrester
The French Guiana rocket base at Kourou has suspended all launch campaigns and missions because of the Coronavirus.
Arianespace itself, plus the French CNES space agency and the many other companies based at Kourou, have ceased all activity in accordance with French government instructions, while Covid-19 remains active.
The spaceport will resume activities as soon as heath conditions allow.
The Space Agency says: “This exceptional measure is designed to protect the health of employees and the local population, while also maintaining the security needed to prepare for scheduled launches.”
The next scheduled commercial launches include a Galaxy 30 satellite (for Intelsat) and BSAT-4b (for Japanese satellite operator BSAT) which were scheduled for launch together in June, and StarOne’s D2 craft set for launch in July.