Russia launches freighter rocket

Moscow, April 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia Wednesday launched a freight rocket to the International Space Atation from Kazakhstan's Baikonur space centre.

The Soyuz-U rocket, carrying a Progress M-19M cargo spacecraft, lifted off Wednesday, Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said.

"The launch was carried out as scheduled," a Roscosmos spokesman said.

"The space freighter separated from the carrier rocket at 2.21 p.m. Moscow time (10:21 GMT)."

"The docking of the Progress M-19M with the International Space Station is set for 4.27 p.m. Moscow time April 26," the official said.

The previous three Progress space freighters traveled to the orbital outpost under a "shortened" programme, delivering cargo in six hours rather than usual two days.

The Progress M-19M will bring over 2.5 tons of cargo to the ISS, including payloads for the crew's work, fuel for the space station, food supplies, water and oxygen for cosmonauts and astronauts.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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