A Russian Progress spacecraft blasted off Sunday from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan delivering vital supplies, as well as presents and goodies for Christmas and New Year's, to the International Space Station. The Progress M-62 carried by a Soyuz rocket took off at 0712 GMT, a spokesman for ground control outside Moscow told AFP.
Packed with fuel, food, oxygen and technical gear, the craft successfully entered orbit and began the three-day journey to the permanently manned ISS, with an estimated docking time of 0826 GMT on Wednesday, ground control said in a statement.
Although the Progress will arrive a day late for Christmas, it is carrying presents for US commander Peggy Whitson and NASA flight engineer Dan Tani.
The third crew member, Russian cosmonaut Yury Malenchenko, was likely to be especially excited about the delivery. He will get not only traditional Russian New Year's presents, but something for his 46th birthday which took place Saturday, Interfax reported.
Among his gifts will be favourite films and music, plus some home video shot by his relatives back on Earth, RIA Novosti news agency reported.
In addition to the presents the crew were to be treated to "nuts and honey and we also traditionally send the station fresh citrus fruits -- grapefruits and oranges," an official from the Institute of Medical-Biological Problems told RIA Novosti.
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