Russian rocket successfully launches, en route to ISS

MOSCOW, July 3 (UPI) -- A Russian rocket successfully launched Friday carrying some 6,000 pounds of critical supplies to the International Space Station after back-to-back failed attempts.

The unpiloted Progress 60 cargo freighter lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12:55 a.m. EDT. Within minutes, the Soyuz-U cargo vehicle successfully separated from the rocket.

The Progress is packed with 5,249 pounds of fresh water, food, electronics, medical supplies, spare parts and propellant to refuel the space station's propulsion system, restocking the ISS shelves since the last shipment in mid-April.

The cargo craft will make 34 orbits around Earth in the next two days before docking on Sunday.

The successful launch comes after two failed attempts -- one in April and the other on June 28 -- that destroyed thousands of pounds of supplies and gear that included a spacesuit and a new docking adapter, making the success of this resupply mission even more critical.