The Gamma-Ray Imaging Detector AGILE: Scientific Goals and Instrument Performance

AGILE is an ASI Small Scientific Mission dedicated to gamma-ray astrophysics, which will detect and image photons in the 30MeV - 50GeV and in the 10-40keV energy ranges. It is planned to be operational during the second half of 2005 and it will be the only mission entirely dedicated to high energy astrophysicsabove 30MeV during the period 2005-2007. We discuss the expected performance of the AGILE space detector, which scientific program emphasizes a quick response to gamma-raytransients and multiwavelength studies of gamma-raysources.