Launch details

Vega-C | MicroCarb

Arianespace

Commercial FRA

Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)

Guiana Space Centre

Dec 30 at 09:00pm

Launchpad time-0300

Dec 31 at 12:00am

Your local time+0000

Current status

TBD

Vega-C

Launch vehicle

MicroCarb

Mission

5.236

Latitude

-52.775

Longitude

Get notification

24 hours before launch

Get notification

1 hour before launch

Note: For all launches the scheduled launch dates and times are subject to change due to weather, equipment, crew and other factors.

Mission description

Microcarb is a small satellite designed to map sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2)—the most important greenhouse gas — on a global scale.

MicroCarb

Livestream

Attending a launch in person

Attendance is possible by booking online here with site owner CNES. There is no fee for attending a launch here and your booking will include a guided tour in French or English.

Children under 16 are not allowed within 6 kilometers of the launchpad. Children under 12 are not allowed in the control center. Children under 8 are not allowed on the spaceport grounds at all. Check with them when booking since this may vary.

You will receive assembly instructions in your booking confirmation. There a group tour bus will pick you up and take you to some of the more interesting parts of the space center, before ending up at the viewing area to see the launch.

At booking time you will be able to choose a viewing location. Agami is the closest option.

On the map the launchpads are marked D, E and F and the viewing areas are circled.

Agami: 7 kilometers from Ariane and Vega. Ages 16+.

Ibis: 13 kilometers from Ariane and Vega. Ages 8+

Toucan, Colibri: VIP locations. You'll need to know someone or get lucky when they open it up to the public. Toucan is open for Ariane and Soyuz, Colibri is open for Soyuz.

Jupiter: The control center. Another VIP area but may be open to the public based on attendance numbers, you can enquire when booking. This is a really unique experience watching a real mission control center in operation. You'll have a better time if you speak French.

For those without a booking or with children under 8 we recommend:

Carapa Observation Deck: On a high hill overlooking the launch site. 13 kilometers away. There'll be ESA staff there handing out information and a live feed on a screen.

How to get there

The closest commercial airport is Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport in Matoury.

From the airport a 1-hour drive in a rental car will get you to Guiana Space Centre.

Accomodation

Nearby hotels in Kourou.

Nearby parking

Parking available on-site.

Agency details

Arianespace is a European launch service provider, operating the Ariane, Vega, and Soyuz rockets. It delivers reliable and versatile launch solutions for commercial, governmental, and scientific missions, contributing significantly to global satellite deployment and space exploration.