Relay Landmark

Kourou, a feminine space

Kourou, june 9.

Picture by ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE Optique Vidéo du CSG – P.PIRON / Getty Images

Originally

From Kourou, in French Guiana, France and Europe embark on the conquest of space. Frequently at the head of these extraordinary adventures were women, pioneers in carrying the torch for unprecedented journeys beyond the Earth's confines. They echo the numerous female figures of French Guiana, a land steeped in timeless battles for freedom and equality.

Over the centuries

Véronique, Ariane, ... Since 1964, from one spaceship to another, women have been propelling us towards the skies. With Valentine Bonifacie, first woman to join the computing centre in the late 1970s, or Marie-Anne Clair, the space centre’s latest director, these women stand as exemplary figures among our finest scientists, and contribute significantly to the technological excellence of the old continent.

Nowadays

The Kourou Space Center now welcomes 40% women in its workforce. An inspiring example, particularly when contrasted with the prevailing 80% male dominance in the global space industry. The fusion of scientific and athletic prowess shines brightly in the feminine realm, as illustrated by Sunita Williams: the astronaut participated in the Boston Marathon from the ISS, completing the race in 4 hours and 24 minutes!

Did you know?

Picture by Nautilus Creative / GettyImages

  • 700 species of animals inhabit the French Guyanese territory, from anteaters to leatherback turtles, with an urgent challenge: the conservation of sea turtles.

Picture by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images

  • A greener space industry... at the Guiana Space Center with the goal of achieving 90% green energy by 2030. A necessary transition to maintain the centre's level of excellence.

Picture by Maja Hitij / Getty Images

  • The joys of world champion titles... from US Montjoly’s Bernard Lama in football, Lucie Decosse in judo, Malia and Mehdy Metella in swimming, Waldison Silva in Muay Thai, and Mickael Mawem in bouldering.
  • The Kalapa, Center for Amerindian Archaeology, showcases the richness of pre-Columbian rock art.
  • The Alaïs family, whose three children - Alexie in javelin, Alan in athletics, and Agathe in handball - followed in the footsteps of their parents, their mother played handball at Geldar in Kourou and their father was an athletics champion in the Antilles-French Guiana region.
  • The ethereal voice of Marie-Laure Garnier, French soprano born in Kourou, whose lyrical talent was rewarded at the 2021 “Victoires” of Classical Music.
  • Doc Seven, a YouTube educational influencer with 2.5 million subscribers, grew up in French Guiana and opened up the digital doors of the Space Center.
  • The Space Marathon, created on the occasion of the 42nd launch of the Ariane Rocket, traverses the Guiana Space Center.