Precision studies of cosmic rays with the PAMELA satellite experiment

The PAMELA satellite experiment was launched into low earth orbit on June 15
^th
2006. The combination of a permanent magnet silicon strip spectrometer, and a silicon-tungsten imaging calorimeter allows precision studies of the charged cosmic radiation to be conducted over a wide energy range (100 MeV - 200 GeV). A primary scientific goal is to search for dark matter particle annihilations by measuring the energy spectra of cosmic ray antiparticles. Latest results from the PAMELA experiment will be reviewed with a particular focus on cosmic ray antiprotons and positrons. The status of PAMELA measurements for other cosmic ray species will also be reviewed.