A Russian cargo spaceship carrying vital food and water took off from Kazakhstan late on Thursday night to two astronauts whose supplies have been rationed because they were running so low.
The Progress craft, carrying two and a half tonnes of food, water, fuel and oxygen, was successfully launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome, which Russia rents from its ex-Soviet neighbour.
It is due to arrive at the International Space Station on Sunday, where Salizhan Sharipov and Leroi Chiao are based.
They only have enough food supplies left to last them until mid-January.
