Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, will allow scientists to look deep into space at long infrared wavelengths. Herschel's spectral coverage, which ranges from far-infrared to sub-millimeter wavelengths, will make it possible to observe and study relatively cool objects everywhere in the universe, the agency said Friday in a release.

The telescope will be assembled with its spacecraft in the next few weeks and then engineers and scientists at the European Space Research and Technology Center will begin testing the telescope's interface with the spacecraft. The agency said the spacecraft will undergo extensive environmental and functional tests before being shipped to Guiana Space Center, near Kourou in French Guiana, for the launch campaign.