# Progress M1-6

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379866](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379866)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M1-6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m1-6

## Summary  
Progress M1-6 was a Russian cargo spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). Launched on May 20, 2001, it was part of the Progress-M1 series and followed Progress M-44, preceding Progress M-45.

## Key Facts  
- Instance of: Progress-M1 class cargo spacecraft  
- Launch date: May 20, 2001  
- Launch site: Gagarin's Start  
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-FG  
- COSPAR ID: 2001-021A  
- Follows: Progress M-44  
- Followed by: Progress M-45  
- Atmospheric entry: August 22, 2001  
- SCn (Spacecraft Number): 26773  
- Aliases: プログレス4, 4P  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M1-6?  
A: Progress M1-6 was designed to deliver supplies such as food, water, fuel, and equipment to the International Space Station. As an unmanned cargo spacecraft, it played a critical logistical role in supporting ISS operations.

### Q: When was Progress M1-6 launched?  
A: Progress M1-6 was launched on May 20, 2001, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-FG rocket.

### Q: How long was Progress M1-6 operational?  
A: Progress M1-6 remained operational until its atmospheric entry on August 22, 2001, after completing its mission to resupply the ISS.

## Why It Matters  
Progress M1-6 represents one of many missions in Russia’s long-standing commitment to ISS logistics support. As part of the Progress program—originally developed during the Soviet era—it enabled sustained human presence in low Earth orbit by ensuring regular delivery of essential resources. Its successful deployment underscored the reliability of the Progress-M1 variant, specifically tailored for ISS resupply during the early 2000s. The mission also demonstrated international cooperation in space exploration, with Russian hardware continuing to serve multinational crews aboard the ISS.

## Notable For  
- Being part of the Progress-M1 subclass optimized for ISS resupply missions  
- Successfully delivering cargo to the International Space Station in 2001  
- Following the lineage of Progress spacecraft that began in 1978  
- Having a precisely documented orbital decay and deorbiting timeline  
- Representing continued use of the proven Soyuz-FG launcher for cargo missions  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
Progress M1-6 was an unmanned Russian cargo spacecraft launched to support the International Space Station. Part of the broader Progress program, it belonged to the updated Progress-M1 subclass, which featured enhanced capabilities compared to earlier models.

### Launch Details  
The spacecraft was launched on **May 20, 2001**, at **Gagarin's Start** launch pad located at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It utilized the **Soyuz-FG** rocket as its launch vehicle—a reliable booster frequently employed for both crewed and uncrewed missions.

### Operational Timeline  
- **Launch**: May 20, 2001  
- **Docking with ISS**: Shortly after launch (specific docking time not listed)  
- **Mission Duration**: Approximately three months  
- **End of Mission**: Atmospheric reentry occurred on **August 22, 2001**

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance Of**: Progress-M1 class spacecraft  
- **SCn (Spacecraft Number)**: 26773  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2001-021A  
- **Aliases**: プログレス4, 4P  

### Position in Progress Sequence  
Progress M1-6 followed **Progress M-44** and preceded **Progress M-45**, maintaining continuity within the Russian cargo resupply chain to the ISS.

### Legacy and Impact  
This mission contributed to the uninterrupted supply chain necessary for sustaining life and research aboard the ISS. Like other Progress vehicles, M1-6 exemplified the robust engineering behind decades of automated space logistics.

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{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M1-6",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft used to resupply the International Space Station.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26773",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M1-6"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Progress-M1"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report