MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax-AVN) - The Progress M-13M freighter has reached its orbit and headed for the International Space Station (ISS), the mission control center in Korolyov, Moscow region, told Interfax-AVN on Sunday.
"The spaceship separated from the third stage of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle," the center said.
The freighter started an autonomous flight. The docking with the ISS is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. Moscow time on November 2.
The Soyuz-U blasted off Baikonur, Kazakhstan, at 2:11 p.m. Moscow time on Sunday.
Progress M-13M is carrying research equipment, fuel, food and water, technical gadgets, personal care items, medical and other equipment with the total weight of 2,648 kilograms.
It also has the Chibis-M research satellite aboard. Before the freighter undocks from the ISS astronauts will replace its docking mechanism with the satellite container. The freighter will climb to 500 kilometers and launch Chibis-M, which will study upper atmospheric lightening.