The Herschel space telescope, launched in May by the European Space Agency, opened its protective hatch Sunday.

The removal of the cover protecting the instruments from contamination is the first major milestone for the telescope, the BBC reported.

"We need the lid open or we can't see the sky, so it's a really important event," said Matt Griffin, a scientist involved with the project.

The instruments remained sealed inside a cryostat, or super-cold, chamber while Herschel was still in contact with Earth's atmosphere. ESA technicians sent the command Sunday to fire two bolts, allowing light from the telescope mirror to reach the instruments.

The Herschel's mission is to study the birth and evolution of galaxies and stars. The first images from the telescope are expected to be made public in several weeks.