Associated Press
An unmanned Russian cargo ship carrying more than 2.75 tons of supplies, equipment, and gifts blasted off Tuesday for the international space station, officials said.
The Progress M-63 lifted off at 4:03 p.m. local time from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, said Russia's Mission Control spokesperson, Valery Lyndin said.
"The launch was conducted without a hitch and the ship has successfully entered a designated orbit on its way to the station," Lyndin said.
The ship is due to dock at the station Thursday.
It is carrying oxygen, water, and food, including honey, fruit, and vegetables for the crew—U.S. astronauts Peggy Whitson and Daniel Tani and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko.
It is also delivering scientific equipment and experiments, Lyndin said.
Free Email News Updates
Sign up for our Inside National Geographic newsletter. Every two weeks we'll send you our top stories and pictures (see sample).
