Russia launches Progress M-65 space freighter to ISS

Moscow, Sep 11 (UNI) Russia today said it successfully launched a Progress spacecraft on board a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

''The rocket with the Progress M-65 cargo module lifted off from the Baikonur space center at 2350 hrs Moscow time yesterday,'' a Mission Control spokesman said today.

''The Progress M-65 successfully separated from the Soyuz-U launch vehicle at 2359 hrs Moscow time and is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on September 13,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted him as saying.

The module will deliver over 2.5 tons of cargo to the ISS, including fuel, scientific equipment, oxygen, water, food and medical supplies.

It will also bring the ISS crew the modernised Orlan-MK space suits for future spacewalks.

The current ISS crew comprises Russian astronauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko, and an US astronaut Greg Chamitoff. The crew is scheduled to increase from three members to six in May 2009.

The next launch of a manned Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS is scheduled for October 12.

UNI XC RJ VC1708