Russia launched a cargo spacecraft carrying fuel and water bound for the International Space Station on Tuesday.

The Progress M-11M, laden with 2.6 tonnes of supplies, is expected to reach the ISS at 1637 GMT on Thursday, the Control Center of (TSOUP) said.

The craft was launched from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan at 1438 GMT.

There are currently six astronauts on board the ISS -- three Russians, two Americans and one Japanese.