# Progress M-52

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379853](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379853)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-52)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-52

## Summary
Progress M-52 was a Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2005 to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Part of the Progress-M class, it carried supplies and equipment to support crew operations. The spacecraft operated for approximately 109 days before re-entering the atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 28, 2005
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start (Baikonur Cosmodrome)
- **COSPAR ID**: 2005-007A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 28624
- **Preceded By**: Progress M-51
- **Followed By**: Progress M-53
- **Decay Date**: June 16, 2005 (atmospheric re-entry)
- **Aliases**: Progress 17, プログレス17, 17P

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-52?
A: Progress M-52 was a cargo spacecraft designed to deliver supplies, fuel, and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS), supporting crew operations and scientific activities.

### Q: When and how was Progress M-52 launched?
A: The spacecraft launched on February 28, 2005, aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: How long did Progress M-52 remain in orbit?
A: The spacecraft operated for approximately 109 days, from its launch on February 28, 2005, until its atmospheric re-entry on June 16, 2005.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-52 played a critical role in sustaining the ISS by transporting essential resources, ensuring the station’s crew could continue their work. As part of the Progress-M series, it demonstrated the reliability of Russian spacecraft in maintaining orbital outposts. Its mission underscored the importance of regular resupply missions for long-duration spaceflight, contributing to the continuous human presence in space.

## Notable For
- **Reliable Resupply**: Successfully delivered cargo to the ISS, supporting crew survival and operations.
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Utilized the Soviet-era Soyuz-U rocket, highlighting the continuity of Russian launch systems.
- **Short Orbital Tenure**: Completed its mission in under four months, typical of Progress spacecraft designed for temporary orbital stays.
- **International Collaboration**: Contributed to the multinational effort to sustain the ISS, reflecting global cooperation in space exploration.

## Body
### Launch and Mission Timeline
- **Launch**: February 28, 2005, at 19:09 UTC from Gagarin's Start (Site No. 1/5) using a Soyuz-U rocket.
- **Docking**: Attached to the ISS to transfer cargo, including food, water, and scientific equipment.
- **Undocking and Decay**: Departed the ISS in June 2005 and re-entered the atmosphere on June 16, 2005, disintegrating over the Pacific Ocean.

### Spacecraft Class
- **Progress-M Series**: A variant of the Progress spacecraft, designed for automated resupply missions to space stations like Mir and the ISS.
- **Capabilities**: Carried dry cargo, propellant, and pressurized gases, with a total mass of approximately 6,700 kg at launch.

### Decay and Re-entry
- **Atmospheric Entry**: Intentionally deorbited on June 16, 2005, after completing its mission, ensuring safe disposal over the uninhabited Pacific Ocean.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Spacecraft",
  "name": "Progress M-52",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2005 to resupply the International Space Station.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-52",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24605106",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-52"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "RKK Energia",
  "launchDate": "2005-02-28",
  "cosparId": "2005-007A",
  "satelliteCatalogNumber": "28624"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report