Construction Begins on New Soyuz Launch Site in French Guiana (Kerwin Alcide)

 Russia began construction of its Soyuz spacecraft launch base in French Guiana Monday, deepening collaboration between Europe and Russia in space.

  By Kerwin Alcide

 Feb. 27, 2007 -- KOUROU, French Guiana (AP) -- The site for Russia's Soyuz spacecraft launch base in French Guiana was officially opened for construction on Monday, deepening collaboration between Europe and Russia in space, officials said.

  While the base's position near the equator will make it possible for the Soyuz spacecraft to haul heavier loads, getting the joint venture between the Russian and European space agencies off the ground was not without its challenges, said Jean-Jacques Dordain, general manager of the European Space Agency [image].

  “It was not easy to build cooperation among two worlds that don't use the same standards,'' he said, adding the parties were able to through compromise.

  The Soyuz launchers [image] will be able to carry nearly 3 metric tons (3.3 tons) of satellite from the base near Kourou – more than the 1.8 metric tons (2 tons) they can shuttle from Baikonur in Kazakhstan because the earth moves faster near the equator and that velocity will help hurtle heavier payloads into space.

  The inaugural flight from the French South American department will occur at the end of 2008. The base will be used by two Soyuz spacecraft to carry communication, navigation and Earth observation satellites into space.

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