Ariane rocket launch artwork This Ariane rockets two solidfuel booster rockets have just separated from the main stage The fairing upper right contains the payload The Ariane launch system is used by the European Space Agency and the French space agency CNES to place satellites and other heavy payloads in Earth orbit Ariane launches carried out by Arianespace began in Over successful launches have taken place since lifting off from facilities at the Guiana Space Centre Centre Spatial Guyanais near Kourou in French Guiana The rockets ascend over the Atlantic Ocean