Cargo ship reaches space station

Russian craft are keeping the ISS supplied

A Russian cargo spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station.

The unmanned craft was carrying around 2.5 tonnes of supplies including a spare part needed to replace a hose which recently caused an air leak.

Russian spacecraft have been the only link to the ISS since the loss a year ago of the US space shuttle Columbia.

The Progress cargo vessel also delivered personal letters to the two crewmen, an American and a Russian.

Astronaut Michael Foale and Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri are half-way through a six-month tour of duty aboard the ISS.

The Progress docked with the station at 1313 GMT on Saturday, Russia's mission control announced.

Unloading was due to begin later in the day.