# Progress M-61

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q2429633](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2429633)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-61)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-61

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Progress M-61**:

---

## Summary  
Progress M-61 was a Russian cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations. Launched on August 2, 2007, it was part of the Progress-M class and delivered supplies before its atmospheric entry on January 22, 2008.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date**: August 2, 2007 (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Launch vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Launch site**: Gagarin's Start (reference: Q6272367)  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2007-033A (reference: Q206855)  
- **Spacecraft class**: Progress-M (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Orbit decay date**: January 22, 2008 (reference: Q206855)  
- **Preceded by**: Progress M-60 (sitelink count: 7)  
- **Succeeded by**: Progress M-62 (sitelink count: 7)  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 32001 (reference: Q206855)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-61?  
A: Progress M-61 was a resupply mission to deliver cargo, such as food, fuel, and equipment, to a space station, likely the International Space Station (ISS).  

### Q: How long was Progress M-61 in orbit?  
A: It remained in orbit from August 2, 2007, until its atmospheric reentry on January 22, 2008—approximately 5.5 months.  

### Q: What rocket launched Progress M-61?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family developed during the Soviet era.  

## Why It Matters  
Progress M-61 played a critical role in sustaining human presence in space by delivering essential supplies to orbital stations. As part of the long-running Progress program, it demonstrated Russia's capability to reliably support space missions. Its successful deployment and decay highlighted the efficiency of unmanned cargo systems, which remain vital for ISS operations. The mission also contributed to the legacy of the Soyuz-U rocket, one of the most frequently used launch vehicles in history.  

## Notable For  
- **Resupply mission**: Delivered critical supplies to a space station (likely the ISS).  
- **Soyuz-U launch**: Launched using the Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse of Soviet/Russian space programs.  
- **Controlled reentry**: Safely deorbited and burned up in the atmosphere after completing its mission.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: August 2, 2007 (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Launch site**: Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome (reference: Q6272367)  

### Mission Timeline  
- **Launch to orbit**: Achieved orbit on August 2, 2007.  
- **Orbit decay**: Reentered Earth's atmosphere on January 22, 2008 (reference: Q206855).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft class**: Progress-M (reference: Q6272367)  
- **Catalog number**: 32001 (reference: Q206855)  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-61",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2007 to resupply space stations.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2117319",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-61"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Progress-M"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013