cloned cat....little nicky....on news., page-7

food blasts off to space station Food blasts off to space station

December 24, 2004

MOSCOW -- A Russian cargo ship blasted off early today carrying badly needed food and equipment for the International Space Station, where supplies for the two crew members have been dwindling rapidly, Russian news agencies reported.

The ship was scheduled to arrive at the station Sunday morning with about 2.5 tons of food, water, fuel and research equipment for Russian Salizhan Sharipov and American Leroy Chiao, who are in their second month on the station.

NASA officials have said Sharipov and Chiao had only enough food remaining on board to last seven to 14 days beyond Dec. 25.

U.S. shuttles were grounded after the Columbia exploded in 2003, leaving Russian spacecraft as the only way to get to the station and back. NASA plans to resume its shuttle program in May.

By the Associated Press