An unmanned Russian cargo ship carrying over 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 from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, said Russia's Mission Control spokesman, 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.
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