Russian era ends at abandoned launchpad in South American jungle
Kourou (AFP) Feb 18, 2026
"Stop. Danger of death. Work in progress."
This sign, written in Russian, is still hanging inside an office at the site where Russia once launched its Soyuz rockets from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
However the jungle has been slowly reclaiming the launchpad on South America’s northeastern coast ever since Russia hastily left in the aftermath of invading Ukraine in Februa
Published by SpaceDaily on 02/19/2026
