# Progress M-23M

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q16262949](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16262949)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-23M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-23m

## Summary
Progress M-23M was a Russian cargo spacecraft launched on April 9, 2014, as part of the Progress-M class used to resupply space stations. It operated for approximately four months before deorbiting on August 1, 2014.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: April 9, 2014
- Launched from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket
- COSPAR ID: 2014-018A
- Was part of the Progress-M class of spacecraft
- Followed by Progress M-24M and was preceded by Progress M-22M
- Deorbited/atmospheric entry occurred on August 1, 2014
- Also known as Progress 55 or 55P
- Has 9 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-23M?
A: Progress M-23M was a Russian cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations as part of the Progress-M class, which provides essential supplies, equipment, and propellant to orbiting space stations.

### Q: How long did Progress M-23M remain in space?
A: Progress M-23M was launched on April 9, 2014, and remained in orbit until its atmospheric entry and deorbit on August 1, 2014, giving it a mission duration of approximately 4 months.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Progress M-23M?
A: Progress M-23M was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket variant, which is a Soviet and later Russian space carrier rocket design.

### Q: Where was Progress M-23M launched from?
A: The spacecraft was launched from Gagarin's Start, also known as Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1, which is the oldest space launch facility in the world.

### Q: What happened to Progress M-23M after its mission?
A: After completing its mission in August 2014, Progress M-23M was intentionally deorbited, entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up as planned, which is standard procedure for Progress spacecraft after delivering their cargo.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-23M represents a critical component of the human spaceflight infrastructure that maintains space stations. As part of the Progress-M series, which has been in service since the 1980s, it exemplifies the reliability and consistency of Russian space logistics. These cargo missions ensure continuous supplies of propellant, water, oxygen, food, and scientific equipment to orbiting laboratories, enabling long-duration human presence in space. The Progress program has been instrumental in supporting astronauts and cosmonauts during extended stays in Earth orbit, playing a crucial role in the operation of space stations like the International Space Station.

## Notable For
- Being part of the long-serving Progress-M spacecraft class which has been resupplying space stations since the 1980s
- Its launch on April 9, 2014, marking another mission in the continuous supply chain to space stations
- Its use of the Soyuz-U rocket variant, a proven workhorse of Soviet and Russian spaceflight
- Operating under the call sign "Progress 55" during its mission

## Body
### Mission Overview
Progress M-23M was a Russian cargo spacecraft that operated in 2014 as part of the Progress-M series, which has been used for decades to resupply space stations including the International Space Station.

### Technical Details
- Classified as a Progress-M spacecraft, a specific class of cargo spacecraft
- Launched on April 9, 2014
- COSPAR identification: 2014-018A
- Spacecraft designation: Progress 55 (55P)
- Launched from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket
- Mission ended with atmospheric entry/deorbit on August 1, 2014

### Program Context
Progress M-23M was part of the broader Progress spacecraft program, which began in the 1970s and has been a critical component of space station logistics. It belongs to the Progress-M subclass, which represents modernized versions of the original Progress spacecraft.

### Operational Sequence
The mission followed the standard Progress operational pattern:
1. Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Gagarin's Start)
2. Rendezvous and docking with the space station
3. Transfer of cargo including propellant, water, oxygen, food, and equipment
4. Undocking once supplies were transferred
5. Disposal through controlled atmospheric entry

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-23M",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched on April 9, 2014, that resupplied space stations as part of the Progress-M class",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-23M",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21658919",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-23M"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report