Present and future instrumentation for high-energy astrophysics in Italy

The high-energy astrophysics community in Italy is involved in several major international projects, which concern the study, design, development, and operation of telescopes in the field of high-energy astronomy and cosmic ray physics. A number of balloon- or space-borne missions, with important Italian participation, are presently either operative or recently ended (BeppoSAX, XMM-Newton, HETE-2), just launched (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory, in October 2002), under development (Claire, Swift, AGILE, Gamma-Ray Large Area Telescope), or under study (XEUS, Constellation-X, Lobster, Medium Energy Gamma-ray Astronomy, MAX, Gamma Air Watch, Extreme Universe Space Observatory, Interstellar/Intergalactic Medium and gamma ray Burst Observatory Spectroscopy Survey, Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope). The techniques, detection systems, and design concepts chosen for these telescopes are different and depend upon their operative energy range and scientific objectives. This work will focus on the current status of these instruments and on the possible future developments.