Danuri ("Enjoy the Moon") was launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on August 5 and has been flying along its intended trajectory toward the moon since then.
"After leaving Earth on August 5, Danuri has successfully come to the moon following its 145-day trip ... I declare the entrance of the first South Korean lunar orbiter Danuri to the moon orbit successful," Vice Minister of Science and ICT Oh Tae-seog told a briefing.
The official stated that the orbiter is now orbiting the moon at a speed of 1.62 kilometers per second (1 mile per second) and flying around it in a regular two hour cycle, according to the ministry.
In January, Danuri will begin its year-long mission studying the lunar environment, terrain and possible landing sites for future missions.
This is South Korea’s first space mission outside of Earth’s orbit.