the Canopée ship returning to Kourou with elements of the launcher and a helicopter on board

This is an unusual loading in the hold of the ship Canopée. The boat docked on Thursday, November 28, in the port of Pariacabo in Kourou, with a brand new helicopter on board.

“We were asked about a fortnight ago to find out if we were able to transport a helicopter brought in to reinforce the resources implemented as part of the Orsec plan,” explains Loïc Menager, Arianespace vice-president for operations in Guyana.

Watch the report from Guyane La 1ère:

Ariane 6: the Canopée ship returning to Kourou with elements of the Ariane 6 launcher and a helicopter on board

This Atlantic crossing of the Canopée ship was first intended to deliver the stages of the rocket for the next Ariane 6 launch. The cargo ship took on board equipment from Le Havre, Bremen in Germany, then Cherbourg before beginning its journey. twelve days to Kourou.

But without delaying its industrial operations, ArianeGroup had the opportunity to make a stopover in Cherbourg and load the helicopter two weeks ago.

“It’s totally atypical for Ariane, but it also shows the flexibility of this fantastic tool that is Canopéeunderlines Loïc Menager, vice-president of Arianespace for operations in Guyana. It is an ecological, innovative boat which allows different transports, from the satellite to all the elements of the launcher, and also a helicopter!”

ArianeGroup specifies that this was possible because the ship was not complete. Since its entry into service at the beginning of 2024, this sailing cargo ship has only transported rocket sections to Kourou.

The main mission of Ariane Groupe is “to ensure the industrial supply chain of Kourou”, and when the ship has to carry a full launcher, there is no room left. “But depending on the rotations we may have availability”, he adds.

This morning, the entire crew was busy unloading the helicopter delicately. An unusual operation carried out with the Helicojyp staff.

“Without this help, we would have lost three weeks on the arrival of the machine. ArianeGroup helped us out well, we were able to transport the machine in a short time from mainland France, explains Nicolas Nerenhausen, technician at Helicojyp. We need it a lot at the moment, with the forest fires and the transport of goods.”.

As of tomorrow, this helicopter will be in flight. “It will deliver oil for the EDF power stations, it will bring food and water for the interior communities,” explains Nicolas Nerenhausen, technician at Helicojyp.

The helicopter can transport up to 1.4 tonnes of net cargo, depending on the flight distance to be covered.

The rest of the cargo of the Caponée ship was also eagerly awaited with the stages making up the Ariane 6 launcher.

Since the success of the first flight of Ariane 6 last July, the commercial operation phase has been launched.

The first commercial flight is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2025. The date will be announced a few weeks before launch.