Japan cargo ship heads to space station

TOKYO, July 22 (UPI) -- Japan said it launched a cargo ship into space this weekend carrying supplies to the International Space Station.

The H-2B rocket blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center Saturday carrying a Kounotori 3 cargo vessel that will rendezvous with the orbiting space station Friday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said the launch was the third successful liftoff of ab H-2B. Future launches will be carried out by the rocket's manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.