# Progress M-32

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379827](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379827)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-32)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-32

## Summary
Progress M-32 was a Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 1996 to resupply the Mir space station. Part of the Progress-M class, it carried supplies and equipment, playing a critical role in maintaining the station's operations. It operated until its atmospheric reentry in March 1997.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Progress-M, a series of unmanned cargo spacecraft designed for space station resupply.
- **Launch Date**: July 31, 1996, from Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket, a Soviet-designed carrier rocket variant.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1996-043A, an international designation for Earth-orbiting objects.
- **Orbit Decay**: Reentered Earth's atmosphere on March 12, 1997.
- **Preceded By**: Progress M-31, the prior mission in the sequence.
- **Followed By**: Progress M-33, the subsequent resupply mission.
- **Mission**: Delivered cargo, fuel, and scientific equipment to the Mir space station.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-32?
A: Progress M-32 was launched to resupply the Mir space station with cargo, fuel, and equipment, ensuring continued operations.

### Q: When was Progress M-32 launched and when did it cease operations?
A: It launched on July 31, 1996, and reentered the atmosphere on March 12, 1997, ending its mission.

### Q: How does Progress M-32 relate to other spacecraft in its class?
A: It was part of the Progress-M series, succeeding Progress M-31 and preceding Progress M-33 in the sequence of Mir resupply missions.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-32 was essential for sustaining the Mir space station, a cornerstone of Russia's space program in the 1990s. As part of the Progress-M class, it demonstrated the reliability of automated cargo spacecraft, a concept still critical today for missions like those to the International Space Station. Its successful mission underscored the importance of regular resupply for long-duration spaceflight, ensuring astronauts had necessary resources and scientific tools. The spacecraft’s role also highlighted international cooperation, as Mir hosted crews from multiple nations during its operational lifetime.

## Notable For
- **Class Membership**: Part of the Progress-M series, a workhorse for Mir resupply missions.
- **Launch and Decay Dates**: Operated for approximately 7 months between July 1996 and March 1997.
- **Role in Mir Program**: Contributed to the sustained habitation of the Mir space station during its decade-long mission.

## Body
### Launch and Mission
Progress M-32 launched on July 31, 1996, aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Its primary mission was to deliver cargo, propellant, and equipment to the Mir space station, supporting the crew's activities and scientific research.

### Spacecraft Specifications
- **Class**: Progress-M, designed for autonomous docking and resupply.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1996-043A, assigned by the International Space Agency.
- **Decay Date**: March 12, 1997, marking its controlled deorbit and atmospheric reentry.

### Context in the Progress-M Series
- **Predecessor**: Progress M-31, launched earlier in 1996.
- **Successor**: Progress M-33, launched later in 1996.
- **Legacy**: The Progress-M class conducted 61 missions between 1989 and 2015, with M-32 being a typical example of its role in Mir logistics.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Spacecraft",
  "name": "Progress M-32",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 1996 to resupply the Mir space station.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-32",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2521987",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-32"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "RKK Energia",
  "launchDate": "1996-07-31",
  "cosparId": "1996-043A",
  "orbitDecayDate": "1997-03-12"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report