How does the European Space Agency’s launch base contribute to French Guiana’s economy?

The European Space Agency’s rocket-launching base, located at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, is a cornerstone of the economy in French Guiana.

The facility is of significant economic importance, accounting for approximately one-fourth of the territory’s annual gross domestic product. Its establishment in 1968 helped relieve the general postwar economic stagnation that had previously characterized the region. Today, the base serves as a vital hub for research programs and telecommunications, supporting the broader development of the territory's market economy.312