  The X-ray satellite BeppoSAX, a major programme of the Italian space agency
with participation of the Dutch space agency, was successfully launched from
Cape Canaveral on April 30, 1996. After a 2 months period devoted to
engineering check out that confirmed the nominal functionality of the satellite
and the scientific payload, we have performed a series of observations of
celestial objects devoted to calibrate the instruments and verify their
scientific performances. Here we will present some preliminary results obtained
in this phase. They are confirming the expected scientific capabilities of the
mission.
