The two satellites are separated and talking to Earth
At 15:49 CEST today, just under 40 minutes after lift-off, Herschel and Planck sent their first radio signals to Earth, confirming that they separated successfully from the launcher and are alive.
More here:
at:http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/herschelplanck/SEMFBDZVNUF_0.html