Soviet supply craft docks with orbiting space station

An unmanned Soviet cargo craft docked successfully with the orbiting space station Salyut 7 to deliver fuel, scientific equipment, and mail for the two cosmonauts on board.

The official news agency, Tass, said all systems were functioning normally after the Soviet ground control directed the approach of the craft, Progress 13, to the space station. Cosmonauts Anatoly Berezevoy and Valentin Lebedev then took over docking and linkup operations.

A joint Soviet-French space mission is due to be sent to the Salyut station at the end of June.