# Progress M-63

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q2641393](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2641393)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-63)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-63

## Summary
Progress M-63 was a Russian cargo spacecraft launched on February 5, 2008, as part of the Progress-M series. It was used to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and was launched from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket. The spacecraft decayed from orbit on April 7, 2008.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Progress-M (Russian cargo spacecraft)
- **Launch Date**: February 5, 2008
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start
- **COSPAR ID**: 2008-004A
- **Orbit Decay**: April 7, 2008
- **Preceded by**: Progress M-62
- **Followed by**: Progress M-64
- **Instance of**: Progress-M series
- **Significant Events**: Rocket launch (2008-02-05), atmospheric entry (2008-04-07)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-63?
A: Progress M-63 was a Russian cargo spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) with supplies, fuel, and other essentials.

### Q: Which rocket launched Progress M-63?
A: Progress M-63 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start on February 5, 2008.

### Q: When did Progress M-63 decay from orbit?
A: Progress M-63 decayed from orbit on April 7, 2008, after completing its mission.

### Q: What was the COSPAR ID of Progress M-63?
A: The COSPAR ID of Progress M-63 is 2008-004A.

### Q: Which spacecraft preceded and succeeded Progress M-63?
A: Progress M-63 was preceded by Progress M-62 and succeeded by Progress M-64.

## Why It Matters
Progress M-63 played a crucial role in maintaining the International Space Station's operations by delivering necessary supplies and equipment. As part of the Progress-M series, it was a reliable cargo spacecraft used by the Russian space program to support the ISS. Its launch and subsequent decay marked a standard operational cycle for resupply missions during that period. The spacecraft's successful mission contributed to the sustained human presence in space, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Soyuz-U launch system and the Progress-M design.

## Notable For
- **Standard Resupply Mission**: Successfully delivered cargo to the ISS, following the established Progress-M series protocol.
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Utilized the proven Soyuz-U rocket for launch, ensuring mission reliability.
- **Orbital Decay**: Completed its mission and safely decayed from orbit, as expected for uncrewed spacecraft.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Progress M-63 was launched on February 5, 2008, from Gagarin's Start using a Soyuz-U rocket. It was part of the Progress-M series, designed for resupplying the ISS with essential materials, including food, water, oxygen, and scientific equipment. The spacecraft was identified by its COSPAR ID, 2008-004A.

### Operational Timeline
- **Launch**: February 5, 2008, from Gagarin's Start.
- **Orbital Decay**: April 7, 2008, after completing its mission.

### Preceding and Succeeding Missions
Progress M-63 followed the successful mission of Progress M-62 and was succeeded by Progress M-64, maintaining the continuity of the Progress-M series.

### Significance
Progress M-63's mission was a standard resupply operation, demonstrating the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket and the Progress-M spacecraft design. Its successful execution contributed to the ISS's operational sustainability, highlighting the effectiveness of Russia's space resupply capabilities.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-63",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2008 to resupply the International Space Station.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-63"],
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
}

## References

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