Arianespace's ELA-3 launch complex at the Spaceport is one of the world's most modern and was built by Europe specifically to serve the new Ariane 5 heavy-lift vehicle.

It is designed to handle a launch rate of up to 10 Ariane 5 missions per year, with the streamlined launch campaign lasting only 20 working days.

ELA-3 covers a 3 x 5-km. area of land near Ariane 4's ELA-2 facility.

In addition to the launch vehicle preparation zone and launch zone, a dedicated facility is used to produce propellant for the Ariane 5 solid rocket boosters' center and aft segments.