AGILE (or Astro-Rivelatore Gamma a Immagini LEggero) was an Italian X-ray and gamma-ray astronomical satellite developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Launched on April 23, 2007, its mission was to observe gamma-ray sources in the universe.
Mission Overview
AGILE was launched from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre using a PSLV-C8 rocket. It was placed into a low Earth equatorial orbit with minimal particle background, enhancing its observational capabilities.
The satellite’s primary goal was to study high-energy astrophysical phenomena, including:
- Active Galactic Nuclei
- Gamma-Ray Bursts
- X-ray and gamma-ray galactic sources
- Unidentified gamma-ray sources
- Diffuse galactic and extragalactic gamma emissions
- Fundamental physics
Scientific Achievements
During its operational period, AGILE made several significant discoveries. It detected rapid and intense gamma-ray flares from the Crab Nebula, which challenged existing models of particle acceleration. The satellite also provided direct evidence of proton and ion gamma-ray emission in supernova remnants such as SNR W44, shedding light on the origin of cosmic rays.
Observations of Cygnus X-3 revealed extreme particle acceleration events that preceded relativistic jet ejections from this black hole candidate. Additionally, AGILE discovered gamma-ray emissions reaching up to 100 MeV, linked to intense thunderstorms, which offered valuable insights into atmospheric physics.
Technical Specifications
- Launch Date: April 23, 2007.
- Orbit: Low Earth equatorial orbit (~550 km).
- Spectral Range: 30 MeV – 50 GeV (gamma rays), 18–60 keV (X-rays).
- Instruments: GRID, SuperAGILE, MCAL, Anti-Coincidence System.
- Weight: ~352 kg.
- Mission Duration: ~17 years (2007–2024).
Legacy
After nearly 17 years of operation, AGILE was decommissioned and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on February 18, 2024. Its contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes.
