The launch base in French Guiana was officially opened on 26 February 2007 by Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General, Yannick d'Escatha, President of CNES, Jean-Yves Le Gall, Director General of Arianespace, and Anatoly Perminov, Head of Roscosmos.

Also present were French authorities and representatives of all the European and Russian entities contributing to the startup of the project.