Posted: Thu, Mar 25, 2004, 7:17 PM ET (0017 GMT)
Greece and Luxembourg will join the European Space Agrncy by late next year, the agency announced Thursday. The addition of the two countries was approved in unanimous votes by the ESA Council during a meeting Wednesday and Thursday in Sweden. Greece had petitioned to join the space agency last October, while Luxembourg applied in December. The two countries have been granted observer status and will become full members of the agency by December 1, 2005. The additions bring the total number of countries in ESA to 17; in addition, Canada and Hungary have cooperation agreements with ESA.

Related Links:

•  ESA press release