# Progress M-17M

> Russian spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379826](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379826)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-17M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-17m

## Summary
Progress M-17M is a Russian Progress-M spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station, launched on October 31, 2012 from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket and it reentered Earth's atmosphere on April 21, 2013.

## Key Facts
- Progress M-17M is a Russian Progress-M spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station
- It was launched on October 31, 2012 from Gagarin's Start
- The launch vehicle was a Soyuz-U rocket
- Its COSPAR ID is 2012-060A
- It followed Progress M-16M and was followed by Progress M-18M
- It had an atmospheric entry on April 21, 2013
- It has aliases including "プログレス49" and "49P"
- It belongs to the Progress-M class of spacecraft used for station resupply

## FAQs
### Q: When was Progress M-17M launched?
A: It was launched on October 31, 2012 from Gagarin's Start.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Progress M-17M?
A: The launch vehicle was a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: When did Progress M-17M reenter Earth's atmosphere?
A: It had an atmospheric entry on April 21, 2013.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Progress M-17M?
A: Its COSPAR ID is 2012-060A.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-17M represents a critical component of the International Space Station's logistics system, demonstrating the continued reliability of the Progress spacecraft series for resupply missions. As part of the Russian segment of the ISS, these cargo vehicles are essential for transporting food, fuel, and supplies to the orbital laboratory, ensuring the continuous operation of human spaceflight activities. The spacecraft's successful launch and subsequent operations highlight the importance of international cooperation in maintaining the ISS as a research platform for scientific advancement and technological development.

## Notable For
- It was the 49th Progress spacecraft to visit the International Space Station (indicated by its 49P alias)
- It followed the Progress M-16M and was succeeded by Progress M-18M, maintaining the sequential resupply schedule
- The launch occurred from Gagarin's Start, the primary launch site for Russian human spaceflight missions
- It utilized the Soyuz-U rocket, a proven and widely used launch vehicle for Russian space missions
- The spacecraft completed its mission and reentered Earth's atmosphere after approximately five months in orbit

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Progress M-17M is a Progress-M spacecraft, part of the Russian Progress series designed specifically for resupplying space stations. The vehicle features a cylindrical main body with a docking system at the front and an instrument module at the rear. It has a mass of approximately 7,000 kg at launch and carries around 2,500 kg of cargo including propellant, water, oxygen, food, and scientific equipment.

### Launch and Mission Timeline
The spacecraft was launched on October 31, 2012 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome's Site 1/5, also known as Gagarin's Start. The launch was conducted using a Soyuz-U rocket, which provided the necessary thrust to place the spacecraft into orbit. After reaching orbit, Progress M-17M performed a series of maneuvers to rendezvous with the International Space Station and successfully docked with the Pirs module on November 2, 2012. The cargo delivery mission lasted approximately five months before the spacecraft undocked and was intentionally deorbited on April 21, 2013, with its components burning up in Earth's atmosphere.

### Operational Details
During its mission, Progress M-17M delivered approximately 2,500 kg of supplies to the ISS crew. This included 1,100 kg of propellant for the station's orbital maneuvering system, 420 kg of water, 70 kg of oxygen, and various food items and scientific equipment. The spacecraft also performed station-keeping maneuvers and orbital adjustments to maintain proper position relative to the ISS. The deorbit sequence involved a series of thruster firings to reduce the spacecraft's orbital altitude, followed by a controlled reentry over the Pacific Ocean.

### Significance in Space Operations
The Progress M-17M mission exemplifies the long-standing tradition of Russian cargo resupply missions to the ISS. These spacecraft have been operating since the early 1980s and have become an integral part of the ISS logistics system. The consistent launch schedule and reliable performance of Progress spacecraft have contributed to the continuous human presence on the ISS since 2000. The mission also demonstrated the capability of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, which has been in service since 1973 and has launched over 800 missions.

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## References

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