Japan launches H-2B rocket to send supplies for space station

OSAKA -- Japan successfully launched a H-2B rocket early Sunday to send supplies to the International Space Station, local press reported.

The rocket blasted off from the southern island of Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture at 04:48 am local time.

The rocket sent the unmanned Kounotori 4 cargo vehicle filled with drinking water, food, clothing and other supplies for the International Space Station into orbit about 15 minutes later, the report said.

This is the fourth time in a row the H-2B has been vaulted into orbit carrying the Kounotori cargo vehicle since 2009. The previous launches were carried out by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), but the latest launch was conducted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the rocket's manufacturer.