AMS: A Cosmic Ray Observatory

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is a particle physics detector designed to operate in space beyond the earth atmosphere. AMS will measure all the charged cosmic rays and light nuclei spectra in the GV to TV rigidity domain, and high energy cosmic gamma rays as well. With a large acceptance, at least 3 years of observation, and state of the art redundant particle identification techniques, AMS will provide a continuous survey of charged cosmic rays fluxes and the most sensitive search for the existence of anti matter nuclei and for the origin of dark matter. The detector construction will be completed by 2005. AMS should be installed on the ISS (International Space Station) in 2007 and will record several billions cosmic rays per year of operation.