<p><br /> A Japanese rocket carrying supplies for the International Space Station has lifted off from a remote island in southern Japan.<br /> </p><p><br /> The unmanned rocket, named Kounotori2 or White Stork, blasted off in the early hours of Saturday morning.<br /> </p><p><br /> It is carrying nearly six tonnes of food, water, clothing and experimental equipment to the astronauts in orbit on the space station, an international project involving 15 nations.<br /> </p><p><br /> After docking with the space station, dropping off its cargo and being loaded up with waste material, the transfer vehicle will be detached and burn itself up upon re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.<br /> </p><p><br /> Kounotori2 is expected to reach the space station on Thursday.<br /> </p>
