# Progress M-12M

> resupply mission or crew escape test

**Wikidata**: [Q2534515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2534515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-12M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-12m

## Summary  
Progress M-12M was a Russian expendable cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations. Launched on August 24, 2011, it was part of the Progress-M class and intended to deliver supplies, but its mission ended in failure shortly after liftoff. It is also noted for its role in crew escape testing protocols.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 24, 2011 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Mission Type**: Resupply mission and crew escape test ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Progress-M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Preceded by**: Progress M-11M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Succeeded by**: Progress M-13M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Aliases**: Progress 44, 44P ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch failure ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-12M?  
A: Progress M-12M was primarily a resupply mission to deliver cargo to a space station, with an additional role in testing crew escape procedures.  

### Q: Why did Progress M-12M fail?  
A: The mission failed due to a malfunction shortly after launch, resulting in the loss of the spacecraft and its cargo.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Progress M-12M?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family.  

## Why It Matters  
Progress M-12M highlights the challenges and risks inherent in space missions, particularly in resupply operations critical for sustaining crewed space stations. Its failure underscored the importance of robust launch systems and contingency planning, especially for missions involving human spaceflight. The incident also contributed to improvements in safety protocols for future Progress missions and Soyuz launches. As part of the long-running Progress program, M-12M represents both the reliability and vulnerabilities of expendable cargo spacecraft in supporting orbital habitats.  

## Notable For  
- **Mission Failure**: One of the few Progress missions to end in a launch failure.  
- **Crew Escape Test**: Involved protocols for ensuring astronaut safety during launch anomalies.  
- **Progress-M Class**: Part of a series of spacecraft vital for space station logistics.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: August 24, 2011  
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U  
- **Site**: Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome  

### Mission Profile  
- Intended to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).  
- Carried cargo such as food, fuel, and scientific equipment.  

### Failure Analysis  
- Third-stage engine shutdown led to loss of vehicle.  
- Debris fell in the Altai Republic region.  

### Aftermath  
- Temporarily halted Progress launches pending investigation.  
- Reinforced safety measures for subsequent missions.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-12M",
  "description": "Russian expendable cargo spacecraft launched in 2011 as part of a resupply mission.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-12M"],
  "additionalType": "Progress-M"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013