Herschel spacecraft assembly complete   A picture of the Herschel telescope resting on the cryostat, taken on 16 April 2008. The Herschel telescope has been assembled with the payload and service modules, at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, completing the assembly of the entire spacecraft. This powerful telescope will allow scientists to look deep into space, at long infrared wavelengths. Herschel’s spectral coverage, which ranges from far-infrared to sub-millimetre wavelengths, will be made available for space-based observations for the first time.   The mirror of the Herschel telescope, with its protective cover, ready to be lifted for installation on to the cryostat. This picture was taken on 16 April 2008. This powerful telescope will allow scientists to look deep into space, at long infrared wavelengths. Herschel’s spectral coverage, which ranges from far-infrared to sub-millimetre wavelengths, will be made available for space-based observations for the first time.   This picture was taken at at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre on 11 April as the Herschel infrared observatory's solar array and sunshield were being assembled. Herschel will make it possible to observe and study relatively cool objects everywhere in the universe, from our own back yard to distant galaxies, teaching us much more about the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies.   The Herschel spacecraft’s sunshield being assembled with the solar array. This picture was taken on 11 April 2008 at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC. The Herschel infrared observatory will make it possible to observe and study relatively cool objects everywhere in the universe, from our own back yard to distant galaxies, teaching us much more about the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies.   Herschel in space, close up on its mirror. Release date: 26 February 2009