Russian cargo rocket lifts off - bound for ISS

The Progress M1 space vehicle was launched at 0132 GMT from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and was correctly lodged in orbit, flight control in Moscow said. On Saturday morning it will dock at the ISS where the first long-term crew is awaiting fresh supplies of food, water, fuel and equipment, the news agency Interfax said.

U.S. astronaut Bill Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidsenko and Sergey Krikalyov moved in on November 2. During their 117-day mission they are to receive visits by two Russian Progress transporters and two U.S. space shuttle crews.

(la/dpa)