# Progress M-66
**Wikidata**: [Q2498146](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2498146)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-66)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m-66

## Summary  
Progress M-66 was a Progress-M class cargo spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Launched on February 10, 2009, aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, it completed its mission before decaying in the atmosphere on May 18, 2009.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: February 10, 2009 (source: Q6272367)  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U (source: Q6272367)  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 (source: Q6272367)  
- **Mission Duration**: Operated until atmospheric entry on May 18, 2009 (source: Q206855)  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-006A (source: Q206855)  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Progress-M (source: Q6272367)  
- **Preceded By**: Progress M-01M (source: Wikidata)  
- **Followed By**: Progress M-02M (source: Wikidata)  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 33593 (source: Q206855)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M-66?  
A: Progress M-66 was a resupply mission to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, part of the Progress-M class of spacecraft designed for orbital logistics.  

### Q: When did Progress M-66 launch and re-enter?  
A: It launched on February 10, 2009, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on May 18, 2009, after completing its mission.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Progress M-66?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz family developed by the Soviet Union.  

## Why It Matters  
Progress M-66 played a critical role in maintaining the International Space Station by delivering essential supplies, equipment, and fuel. As part of the long-running Progress program, it demonstrated the reliability of unmanned cargo missions, which are vital for sustaining human presence in space. Its successful launch and decay highlighted the efficiency of Soviet/Russian space logistics, contributing to ongoing ISS operations and international collaboration in space exploration.  

## Notable For  
- **Resupply Mission**: Delivered critical cargo to the ISS as part of the Progress-M program.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Utilized the proven Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse of Soviet/Russian spaceflight.  
- **Atmospheric Decay**: Completed its mission with a controlled re-entry on May 18, 2009.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: February 10, 2009  
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U  
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31  

### Mission Timeline  
- **Launch**: Successful liftoff on February 10, 2009.  
- **Orbital Operations**: Conducted resupply operations for the ISS.  
- **Decay**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on May 18, 2009.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Progress-M  
- **Catalog Number**: 33593  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-006A  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M-66",
  "description": "A Progress-M class cargo spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station, launched in 2009.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7250271",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-66"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft"
}

## References

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