# Progress M-43

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379840](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379840)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-43)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-43

## Summary
Progress M-43 is a Russian cargo spacecraft that was launched on October 16, 2000, to resupply space stations, and it reentered Earth's atmosphere on January 29, 2001.

## Key Facts
- It is a Progress-M class cargo spacecraft used to resupply space stations.
- Launched on 2000-10-16 from Gagarin's Start.
- Launched using a Soyuz-U rocket.
- Followed the Progress M1-2 spacecraft and was followed by Progress M1-5.
- Has the COSPAR ID 2000-064A.
- Reentered Earth's atmosphere on 2001-01-29.
- Is classified as a Russian cargo spacecraft.
- Has a sitelink count of 4.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Progress M-43?
A: It was a Russian cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations.

### Q: When was Progress M-43 launched?
A: It was launched on October 16, 2000.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Progress M-43?
A: It was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-43 played a crucial role in maintaining the operational capabilities of space stations by transporting essential supplies, equipment, and provisions. As part of the Progress-M series, it represented the standard approach to automated resupply missions, ensuring continuous support for long-duration space station operations. The spacecraft's successful launch and orbital operations demonstrated the reliability of the Progress-M design, which had been used for decades to sustain human presence in space.

## Notable For
- It was part of the Progress-M series, which had been used to resupply space stations since the 1970s.
- It followed the Progress M1-2 spacecraft and was succeeded by Progress M1-5.
- Its launch and orbital operations demonstrated the reliability of the Progress-M design.
- It had a specific COSPAR ID (2000-064A) that tracked its orbital trajectory.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Progress M-43 was a Russian cargo spacecraft belonging to the Progress-M class, which was specifically designed for resupply missions to space stations. The spacecraft utilized the Soyuz-U rocket as its launch vehicle, which was a variant of the Soyuz rocket design used for human spaceflight missions.

### Launch and Mission Profile
The spacecraft was launched from Gagarin's Start on October 16, 2000. Following its successful deployment, it performed the standard orbital maneuvers to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) or its predecessor, the Mir space station. The mission involved transporting various cargo including food, water, scientific equipment, and maintenance supplies necessary for the continued operation of the space station.

### Orbital Decay and Reentry
After completing its mission, Progress M-43 was intentionally deorbited to reenter Earth's atmosphere on January 29, 2001. The controlled reentry ensured that any potential debris would fall over an uninhabited region of the ocean, minimizing risk to populated areas.

### Technical Details
The Progress-M spacecraft had a mass of approximately 7,000 kg at launch, with a dry mass of around 2,500 kg. It featured a cylindrical main body with a docking system at the front and an engine module at the rear. The spacecraft was equipped with a propulsion system that allowed it to perform orbital adjustments and approach the space station.

### Operational Context
Progress M-43 was part of an ongoing series of Progress spacecraft that had been operational since 1978. These automated cargo vehicles provided a reliable and cost-effective means of resupplying space stations, complementing the more complex and expensive Soyuz crewed missions. The Progress-M series represented an evolution from earlier Progress models, incorporating improved navigation systems and increased cargo capacity.

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-43",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2000 to resupply space stations",
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report