The University of Pisa is a renowned and ancient School, the origins of which can be traced back to the early middle-ages. 
The first Aeronautical Engineering course was held in 1942 and some years later the Institute of Aeronautics was founded From 1980, the Institute of Aeronautics became the Department of Aerospace Engineering, currently responsible for the Aeronautical and Aerospace activities of the University Alta spa is a private company set up in 1999 as a spin-off of Centrospazio, the space research laboratory of Consorzio Pisa Ricerche. 
Alta is the only European company covering the full advanced spacecraft propulsion spectrum with own technologies. Beside his specialization and European leadership in Electric propulsion, the main adding value delivered from ALTA to PSI is the unique test facility and relevant space test experience.