Japan said it launched a cargo ship into space this weekend carrying supplies to the International Space Station.

The H-2B rocket blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center Saturday carrying a Kounotori 3 cargo vessel that will rendezvous with the orbiting space station Friday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said the launch was the third successful liftoff of ab H-2B. Future launches will be carried out by the rocket's manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Japan launches rocket to ISS
Nishinoomote, Japan (UPI) Jul 21, 2012 - An unmanned rocket carrying more than 4 tons of supplies to the International Space Station was successfully launched from Japan Saturday, officials said.

The H-IIB rocket blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture, Kyodo News reported.

After its launch, the rocket released the unmanned HTV-3 cargo transporter, which is carrying food, clothing and experiment-related equipment to the ISS, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

The cargo will reach the ISS on Friday, RIA Novosti reported.

Officials said the launch went well.

"The flight of the HTV-3 went true and as expected," said Josh Byerly, NASA's mission control commentator in Houston. "Everything now set up for the arrival of the HTV-3 coming up next week."