Cargo spacecraft sets off for ISS

Carrying almost three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the International Space Station crew, the unpiloted Russian Progress 68 cargo spacecraft blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The craft set off after the International Space Station to deliver nearly three tons of food, fuel and supplies to the ISS crew.

At the time of launch, the International Space Station was flying about 250 miles over the south Atlantic Ocean, north of the Falkland Islands.

Less than 10 minutes after launch, the resupply ship reached preliminary orbit and deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned.

The Expedition 53 crew will monitor key events during Progress 68’s approach and docking.

If all goes well, the Progress will fly a two-day 34-orbit rendezvous, catching up with the space station early Monday.