Historically, the group has come from the unification of three nuclear physics groups, lead by three professors, Claude Mahaux, Jean-Pierre Jeukenne and Joseph Cugnon. Later, the particle physics groups of Jules Beckers and André Burnel joined in. In 2007, the group decided to turn to astroparticle physics, and left the physics department to join the department of Astrophysics, Geophysics and Oceanography. It is led by J.R. Cudell since 2010.