# Progress 16

> Soviet uncrewed Progress cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q10639626](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10639626)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_16)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-16

## Summary
Progress 16 was a Soviet uncrewed Progress cargo spacecraft launched on October 31, 1982. As a specific instance of the Progress 7K-TG class, it was utilized to transport cargo and supplies. The mission was launched from Gagarin's Start at the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Progress 16 is an instance of the **Progress 7K-TG** spacecraft class.
- **Type:** It is identified as a **Soviet uncrewed Progress cargo spacecraft**.
- **Launch Date:** The spacecraft launched on **October 31, 1982**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Soyuz-U** rocket (a Universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design).
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Gagarin's Start** (Baikonur Cosmodrome).
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is **1982-107A**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under number **13638**.
- **Significant Event:** The rocket launch occurred on October 31, 1982, at Gagarin's Start.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of spacecraft was Progress 16?
A: Progress 16 was a Soviet uncrewed cargo spacecraft belonging to the Progress 7K-TG class. It was designed to transport supplies without a human crew on board.

### Q: When and how was Progress 16 launched?
A: Progress 16 was launched on October 31, 1982, using a Soyuz-U rocket. The launch took place at the Gagarin's Start site.

### Q: What are the specific identifiers for Progress 16?
A: Progress 16 is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 13638 and the COSPAR ID 1982-107A. It is also recognized by the Google Knowledge Graph ID `/g/11dyhv9kz`.

## Why It Matters
Progress 16 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's logistical operations in space during the early 1980s. As an iteration of the **Progress 7K-TG class**, it highlights the Soviet reliance on uncrewed, automated systems to maintain space station operations—a critical capability for long-term habitability in orbit. The use of the **Soyuz-U** launch vehicle for this mission underscores the versatility and reliability of the Universal rocket variant, which was a workhorse for Soviet space logistics.

The mission also exemplifies the standardized launch procedures of the era, departing from the historic **Gagarin's Start** pad. This site is famous for launching Vostok 1, and its use for Progress 16 connects routine cargo missions to the legacy of human spaceflight. By strictly adhering to the Progress configuration, missions like this ensured a steady supply chain for Soviet orbital platforms, demonstrating the engineering maturity of resupply networks decades before similar commercial systems were developed by other nations.

## Notable For
- Being a documented instance of the **Progress 7K-TG** class of spacecraft.
- Launching on the **Soyuz-U**, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- Utilizing the historic **Gagarin's Start** launch complex.
- Being tracked in major databases via its COSPAR ID (**1982-107A**) and Wolfram Language entity code (`Entity["Satellite", "13638"]`).

## Body
### Classification and Design
Progress 16 is classified as an **instance of** the **Progress 7K-TG** spacecraft class. This class designates it as a Soviet uncrewed spacecraft designed for cargo transport. Unlike crewed Soyuz vehicles, the Progress configuration is stripped down to maximize payload capacity for logistical resupply.

### Launch Operations
The spacecraft executed a **rocket launch** as its primary significant event.
- **Date:** October 31, 1982
- **Location:** Gagarin's Start
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz-U

The **Soyuz-U** utilized for this mission is described as a "Universal" variant of the Soyuz rocket design. The launch originated from **Gagarin's Start**, a site located within the Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan), which serves as one of the most historically significant launch pads in space exploration history.

### Technical Identifiers
Progress 16 is cataloged in multiple scientific and knowledge databases:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1982-107A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 13638
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "13638"]`
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** `/g/11dyhv9kz`

The mission has sitelinks in **English** and **Swedish** Wikipedia, reflecting its documentation across different linguistic regions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report