MOSCOW, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Russia successfully launched the Progress MS-31 cargo spacecraft into orbit using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket on Thursday, Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos said.

The carrier rocket lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft is expected to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in approximately two days, at 12:28 a.m. Sunday local time (2128 GMT Saturday). The spacecraft will stay in orbit for 167 days, Roscosmos said.

Progress MS-31 will deliver over 2.6 tonnes of cargo to the ISS, including 950 kilograms of fuel for refueling, 50 kilograms of nitrogen to replenish the ISS atmosphere, 420 kilograms of drinking water, as well as food, clothing, hygiene products and medical supplies for the crew.

Additionally, the spacecraft carries equipment and consumables for station maintenance and repair, as well as experiments. ■