ELA-1

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**Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 1 / Ensemble de Lancement Vega**
Launch History

Launch Site	Guiana Space Centre
Location	5.236 N, 52.775 W
Short name	CECLES, ELA-1, ELV
Operator
Total launches
Launch pads	1
Minimum/Maximum orbital inclination
Status	Active

First launch	5 November 1971
Last launch	12 July 1989
Associated rockets	Europa rocket, Ariane 1, 2 and 3, Vega programme

ELA-1, short for Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 1 (French for Ariane Launch Area 1), also known as Ensemble de Lancement Vega, ELV, and CECLES, is a launch pad at the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guyana. It has been used to support launches of the Europa rocket, Ariane 1, 2 and 3, and is currently being rebuilt as a launch site for the future Vega programme.

1 History
2 See also
3 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Europa (CECLES)

ELA-1, at the time designated CECLES was constructed as an equatorial launch site for the Europa-II rocket which was being built as part of the ELDO programme. The first launch occurred on 5 November 1971. This was the only flight of the Europa-II, which ended in failure due to a guidance problem. The launch site was mothballed, and later demolished.

[edit] Ariane (ELA)

When the Ariane 1 programme was started, to replace the failed ELDO programme, a new launch site was built on the site of the former CECLES pad. This was designated Ensemble de Lancement Ariane, or ELA for short. The first Ariane 1 launch occurred on 24 December 1979. ELA was also used by Ariane 2 and 3 rockets, which first flew on 31 May 1986 and 4 August 1984 respectively. ELA was redesignated ELA-1 when the Ariane 4 entered service in 1988, as this launched from a separate launch pad, designated ELA-2. The Ariane 1 was retired on 22 February 1986, the Ariane 2 on 2 April 1989, and the Ariane 3 on 12 July 1989. ELA was subsequently demolished.

[edit] Vega (ELV)

From 2008, the Vega rocket will be launched from a new launch pad, on the site of the former CECLES and ELA-1 pads, designated Ensemble de Lancement Vega, or ELV.