European nations reach space funding accord -delegates

FILE PHOTO: A logo of the European Space Agency (ESA) is pictured at their headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, September 30, 2016. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

PARIS (Reuters) -More than 20 nations have reached an agreement on funding space projects over the next three years after last-minute delays in ministerial talks in Paris, two delegates told Reuters.

The European Space Agency had asked its 22 member-nations to come up with 18.5 billion euros ($19.06 billion) to fund rocket launches, satellites and Europe's participation in planetary research for 2023-25, up from 14.5 billion in the previous period.