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A privately launched supply ship carrying fresh batch of supplies and science experiments has reached the International Space Station.

The unmanned Cygnus cargo freighter was launched on 9th January from Virginia. The Expedition 38 astronauts had to use a hefty robot arm to capture the Cygnus capsule as the two craft zoomed side by side at 17,500 mph.

The Cygnus carried 3,000 pounds of equipments and experiments for agency which included one designed by Florida high school students too. The board also had Christmas presents from the families of all six astronauts including some fresh fruits from NASA.

Once the robot arm operator Michael Hopkins took control of the Cygnus, the launch controllers for Orbital Sciences broke into applause. However, astronauts were supposed to wait till Monday but their perturbation was explanatory.

For Orbital Sciences, this is their second cargo ship delivered in the space. The first was a test run last September.

“I’ve been up here on station for about 3 1/2 months,” Hopkins said according to HJNews, “and I’ve seen two Orbital vehicles in that time, and I think that’s very impressive. So congratulations to everyone.”

The Cygnus will be berthed at the station for nearly 40 days after which it will be packed with trash and will be burnt up in the atmosphere once the mission is completed.