Launched last May, ESA's Herschel Space Observatory has been preparing for the start of routine operations, due early November. Although first images from the three science instruments have been obtained - with spectacular results - a lot of calibration and fine- tuning has been required to optimise all future observations. Several thousand astronomers are counting on this new infrared and far infrared window on the Universe to better understand, for example, the formation of stars and galaxies. This A & B-roll recaps on the Herschel status and features the results of the first test observations last June with interviews of ESA mission management and instrument scientists.