The robotic spacecraft lunar reconnaissance orbiter (LRO), launched by Nasa, has successfully entered orbit around the moon after a four-and-a-half-day journey from the Earth.

This was confirmed by the engineers at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

A mid-course correction was made on the spacecraft while orbiting the moon to get it in the exact position to reach its lunar destination.

The LRO used its rocket motor to pace down until the gravity of the moon captured the spacecraft in lunar orbit.

The LRO deputy project manager Cathy Peddie said that they will begin to build up the dataset needed to understand in greater detail the lunar topography, features and resources.

The LRO will orbit above the moon at 31 miles for one year as part of its primary mission.

Unlike previous missions, the satellite will provide data about the moon by exploring its deepest craters, examining permanently sunlit and shadowed regions and provide understanding of the effects of lunar radiation on humans.