Placing Gaia on top of the Soyuz launcher (12 of 12)
![](https://cdn.sci.esa.int/documents/33580/35361/1567216466319-Gaia_Kourou_Mating_with_launcher_034_625.jpg)
Date: 13 December 2013
Satellite: Gaia
Location: Soyuz launch pad, Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, French Guiana
Copyright: ESA-CNES-Arianespace / Optique Vidéo du CSG - S. Martin
The Gaia spacecraft - mated with the Fregat stage and enclosed by the fairing - is lowered onto the Soyuz launcher, using an overhead crane inside the mobile gantry on the launch pad. The Soyuz launcher is below the platform inside the 53-metre tall mobile gantry and not visible in this photo.
Last Update: 1 September 2019