The Herschel satellite opened its cryocover on June 15, 2009, after the spacecraft received a command to fire pyrotechnic bolts holding it down. The cryocover provides a high-vacuum tight closure to preserve the cryogenic environment on the ground and in the early orbit phase. The opening of the cryocover will allow the instruments and telescope to begin observations, once a series of post-launch check-outs have been completed.
[Source: ESA News, June 15, 2009]
