Overview
The Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) is France's government space agency, founded in 1961. CNES led the development of the Ariane launcher family and operates the Guiana Space Centre — Europe's primary spaceport. France is ESA's second-largest contributor.
€2.7B
Budget
250+
Ariane Launches
1961
Founded
Key Programmes
Ariane: CNES led Ariane 1 through Ariane 5 and is key partner in Ariane 6. 250+ launches established European space access.
Guiana Space Centre: 5°N latitude, ideal for GEO launches. Hosts Ariane 6 and Vega-C pads.
Pléiades Neo: 30 cm resolution optical imagery for defence and commercial use.
Syracuse: Military comms satellite system for secure strategic communications.
Key Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Paris and Toulouse |
| Launch Site | Guiana Space Centre (Kourou) |