A lunar lander developed by a Japanese startup has successfully entered orbit after being launched on a US rocket from the state of Florida.

Tokyo-based startup ispace is making its second attempt to put its lander on the moon, after a failed first mission in April 2023.

The rocket carrying the lander lifted off from Kennedy Space Center shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, local time.

The spacecraft separated from the rocket about 90 minutes later, and entered orbit.

It will approach the moon through a series of swing-by maneuvers, and attempt a landing between late May and early June.

Last year, a US space development company became the first private firm to put a lander on the moon. Another American company put its lander on the same rocket as ispace, and is aiming for a landing in March. If ispace succeeds in its mission, it will be the first private Japanese firm to achieve a lunar landing.

The company's CEO Hakamada Takeshi says it is working on the mission with confidence, having learned lessons from its first attempt two years ago. He said, "We will steadily proceed with the plan for landing."