The large launch pad for Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket is in its final months of construction ahead of its maiden flight, always planned for late next year. The ELA-4 (the name of the new launch site) includes a huge mobile gantry weighing more than 6,000 tons. Construction work began in 2017 and is expected to be fully completed before the end of this year. Located between the areas used by the Ariane 5 and Vega rockets and the Soyuz launch complex, ELA-4 occupies the largest area of land at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch complex covers an area of 170 hectares, with buildings covering 18 hectares. The site is located 17 km from the town of Kourou and 4 km west of the Ariane 5 launch pad. The great distance from the city of Kourou will allow for safe launches on trajectories to the East and North.
