BEIJING, Jan. 28 (China Space News) — China' s first Sino-Italy Electric Propulsion Laboratory has been set up in Lanzhou, Northwest China.

Upon the establishment of the laboratory, the two parties, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and Italy's ALTA company will cooperate to develop world-class electric propulsion products.

The decision to build the joint lab dates back to 2013. During the 64th International Astronautical Congress held that September, the two parties signed an agreement on the issue under the Sino-Italy governmental cooperation framework.

Since then, the two parties have met several times to discuss the cooperation and define the development goal and strategy of the lab.

The purpose is to enhance international exchange and cooperation through the platform of the lab.

ALTA is a leading company in aerospace propulsion technology in Europe. As the only company certified by the European Space Agency to be qualified for performance evaluation and test of electric propulsion system, ALTA serves many space departments in France, Netherlands and Spain.