| ABSTRACT: |
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment with the primary goal to study the antimatter component in cosmic rays over an extended energy range (up to 190 GeV for protons and 270 GeV for positrons) and with high accuracy. Other scientific objectives include the study of the proton, electron and light nuclear component of cosmic rays of galactic, solar and trapped nature.
The apparatus consists of a permanent magnetic spectrometer equipped with double-sided silicon microstrip tracking system and surrounded by a scintillator anticoincidence system. A silicon-tungsten imaging calorimeter, complemented by a scintillator shower tail catcher, performs the particle identification task. Fast scintillators are used for Time-Of-Flight measurements and to provide the primary trigger. A neutron detector is finally provided to extend the range of particle measurements to the TeV region and to improve the lepton/hadron discrimination.
PAMELA will fly on-board of the Resurs-DK1 satellite, which will be put into a semi-polar orbit in 2006 by a Soyuz rocket. We will give a brief review of the scientific objectives of the mission and report about the current status of the experiment.
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