# Progress M-4

> 1990 Soviet uncrewed cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q7248562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7248562)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-4

## Summary
Progress M-4 was a Soviet uncrewed cargo spacecraft launched in 1990. As a specific instance of the Progress-M class of spacecraft, it was designed to resupply space stations. The vehicle was launched atop a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket from Gagarin's Start on August 15, 1990.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** It is an uncrewed cargo spacecraft and an instance of the Progress-M class.
- **Launch Date:** The spacecraft launched on August 15, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was deployed using a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The mission launched from Gagarin's Start.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is 1990-072A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under number 20752.
- **Context:** It was a Soviet mission conducted in 1990.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of spacecraft was Progress M-4?
A: Progress M-4 was an uncrewed cargo spacecraft belonging to the Progress-M class, which is used to resupply space stations.

### Q: When and how was Progress M-4 launched?
A: The spacecraft was launched on August 15, 1990, using a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch site.

### Q: What distinguishes Progress M-4 in terms of identification?
A: The spacecraft is identified by the COSPAR ID 1990-072A and the Satellite Catalog Number 20752.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-4 represents a specific logistical mission within the late-stage Soviet space program in 1990. As part of the Progress-M class, it exemplifies the standardized approach to uncrewed resupply missions necessary for the long-term sustainability of space station operations. The use of the Soyuz-U2 rocket—a specialized variant of the Soyuz carrier rocket—highlights the specific launch infrastructure utilized during this era.

The mission is also a documented point in the history of the Gagarin's Start launch complex, a site of major historical significance in space exploration. By tracking this vehicle through identifiers like COSPAR ID 1990-072A and Satellite Catalog Number 20752, space agencies and historians maintain a precise record of objects launched into Earth orbit. This mission contributes to the broader dataset of space traffic and resupply logistics that occurred during the transition from the Soviet era to the modern Russian space program.

## Notable For
- Being a **Soviet spacecraft** launched in 1990, near the end of the Soviet Union's existence.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-U2** carrier rocket, a notable launch vehicle variant.
- Launching from **Gagarin's Start**, one of the most historic launch pads in space exploration history.
- Being a distinct instance of the **Progress-M** class, a widely used series of resupply vehicles.
- Possessing a specific **COSPAR ID (1990-072A)** and **Satellite Catalog Number (20752)** for international tracking.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Classification
Progress M-4 is defined as a 1990 Soviet uncrewed cargo spacecraft. Structurally and functionally, it is classified as an instance of the **Progress-M** class. Spacecraft in this class are designed specifically to resupply space stations with necessary cargo, fuel, and equipment.

### Launch Details
The spacecraft's significant event was a **rocket launch** that took place on **August 15, 1990**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission was carried out by a **Soyuz-U2** carrier rocket.
*   **Location:** The launch originated from **Gagarin's Start**, a primary launch complex.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and cataloging within international databases, Progress M-4 is assigned the following standard identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1990-072A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20752
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/07kj7t8

### Related Entities
*   **Progress-M:** The parent class of spacecraft used for resupplying space stations.
*   **Soyuz-U2:** The carrier rocket utilized to launch the spacecraft.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report