Japan's rocket carrying cargo for space station blasts off

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-22 17:03

TOKYO - A Japanese rocket carrying an unmanned cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS) blasted off Saturday, said reports from Tanegashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAEA) has announced that the launch was a success and the cargo unit separated from the rocket as scheduled.

The H-2B rocket, originally scheduled to lift off on Thursday, was launched at 2:37 pm (0537 GMT) at Tanegashima Space Center after a two-day delay due to adverse weather conditions.

According to the JAEA, the rocket carries the HTV2 transporter, which is expected to connect with the ISS on Friday.

Also included in the cargo are equipment for use in Japan's Kibo laboratory module, food and drinking water for astronauts.