# Progress M-31

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q10639676](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10639676)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-31)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-31

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Progress M-31**:

---

## Summary  
Progress M-31 is a Russian cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations. Launched on May 5, 1996, it was part of the Progress-M class and delivered supplies before decaying in the atmosphere on August 1, 1996.

## Key Facts  
- **Type**: Progress-M class cargo spacecraft (instance of Progress-M).  
- **Launch date**: May 5, 1996 (from Gagarin's Start).  
- **Launch vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket (Soviet Union variant).  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1996-028A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 23860.  
- **Orbit decay**: August 1, 1996 (atmospheric entry).  
- **Preceded by**: Progress M-30.  
- **Succeeded by**: Progress M-32.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-31?  
A: It was a resupply mission to deliver cargo to a space station, part of Russia's ongoing support for orbital operations.  

### Q: How long did Progress M-31 remain in orbit?  
A: It operated for nearly three months, launching on May 5, 1996, and decaying on August 1, 1996.  

### Q: What rocket launched Progress M-31?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a Soviet-designed variant.  

## Why It Matters  
Progress M-31 played a critical role in maintaining space station operations by delivering essential supplies. As part of the long-running Progress program, it demonstrated Russia's capability to reliably support crewed missions in orbit. Its successful deployment and decay highlight the efficiency of unmanned cargo systems in space logistics, a model still used today. The mission also contributed to the broader understanding of orbital resupply and atmospheric re-entry processes.  

## Notable For  
- One of many Progress-M missions that sustained space stations.  
- Launched aboard the Soyuz-U, a workhorse of Soviet/Russian spaceflight.  
- Followed a precise timeline from launch to atmospheric decay.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: May 5, 1996.  
- **Site**: Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome).  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket.  

### Mission Profile  
- **Purpose**: Resupply mission.  
- **Orbit decay**: August 1, 1996.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: Progress-M.  
- **Catalog ID**: 23860 (SCN).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-31",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 1996 to resupply space stations.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7250439",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-31"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Progress-M"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report