The DArk Matter Particle Explorer mission

Abstract The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE), one of the four scientific space sciencemissions within the framework of the Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Scienceof the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a general purpose high energy cosmic-rayand gamma-ray observatory, which was successfully launched on December 17th, 2015 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The DAMPE scientific objectives include the study of galactic cosmic raysup to  ∼ 10 TeV and hundreds of TeV for electrons/gammas and nuclei respectively, and the search for dark matter signatures in their spectra. In this paper we illustrate the layout of the DAMPE instrument, and discuss the results of beam tests and calibrations performed on ground. Finally we present the expected performance in space and give an overview of the mission key scientific goals.