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The gamma-ray observatory AGILE, the first ASI Small Mission, is planned to operate in 2002-2005. We present here Super-AGILE, an X-ray detector added on top of the gamma-ray tracker. Super-AGILE will have a large field of view, providing hard X-ray imaging and moderate spectroscopy together with the gamma-ray detector. Super-AGILE is composed by Si-microstrip detectors, equipped with a low-noise electronics allowing a sensitive range of 10-40 keV, and coupled with a set of mutually orthogonal one-dimensional coded masks. A bidimensional source location capability is obtained by dividing the total 1444 cm² geometric area of the detectors in two orthogonal directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the AGILE gamma-ray astronomy satellite which has recently been selected as the first Small Scientific Mission of the Italian Space Agency. With a launch in 2002, AGILE will provide a unique tool for high-energy astrophysics in the 30 MeV–50 GeV range before GLAST. Despite the much smaller weight and dimensions, the scientific performances of AGILE are comparable to those of EGRET. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AGILE is an innovative, cost-effective gamma-ray mission selected by the Italian Space Agency for a Program of Small Scientific Missions. The AGILE gamma-ray imaging detector (GRID, made of a Silicon tracker and CsI Mini-Calorimeter) is designed to detect and image photons in the 30 MeV–50 GeV energy band with good sensitivity and very large field of view (FOV ∼3 sr). The X-ray detector, Super-AGILE, sensitive in the 10–40 keV band and integrated on top of the GRID gamma-ray tracker will provide imaging (1–3 arcmin) and moderate spectroscopy. For selected sky areas, AGILE might achieve a flux sensitivity (above 100 MeV) better than 5×10[sup -8] ph cm[sup 2] s[sup -1] at the completion of its scientific program. AGILE will operate as an Observatory open to the international community and is planned to be operational during the year 2002 for a nominal 2-year mission. It will be an ideal ‘bridge’ between EGRET and GLAST, and the only mission entirely dedicated to high-energy astrophysics above 30 MeV during that period. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific instrument of the AGILE mission is innovative in many ways. It is an integrated instrument based on three detecting systems: (1) a Silicon Tracker, (2) a Mini-Calorimeter, and (3) an ultralight coded mask system with Si-detectors (Super-AGILE). For a relatively low mass (∼70 kg) and large ratio of expected performance over cost, AGILE is planned to provide (i) Optimal imaging in the energy bands 30 MeV–50 GeV (5–10 arcmin for intense sources) and 10–40 keV (1–3 arcmin). (ii) Optimal timing capabilities, with independent readout systems and minimal dead-times for the Silicon Tracker, Super-AGILE and Mini-Calorimeter. (iii) A very large field of view for the gamma-ray imaging detector (3 sr) and Super-AGILE (1 sr). © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]