MOSCOW -- A new Russian research module is on its way to the International Space Station.

Russia's space agency says a Soyuz rocket carrying a module called the Poisk (PAW'-isk) lifted off on schedule from the Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan on Tuesday. The launch was shown on Russian state television.

The spacecraft carrying the module is due to dock at the orbital station on Thursday.

Poisk is Russian for 'search.' The space agency, Roskosmos, said the small module will be used for scientific research and can also serve as an additional docking port.

The decade-old international space station is orbiting about 225 miles (360 kilometers) above Earth. Its current crew includes two Russians, two Americans, a Canadian and a Belgian.

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