Russia launches lab module to International Space Station

A Proton-M booster rocket carrying the Nauka module stands at the launch pad at Russia’s space facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan (Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service/AP)

Russia on Wednesday successfully launched a long-delayed lab module for the International Space Station that is intended to provide more room for scientific experiments and space for the crew.

A Proton-M booster rocket carrying the Nauka module lifted off as scheduled at 7.58pm local time (2.58pm GMT) from the Russian space launch facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.