# Progress M1-8

> Russian cargo spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4379870](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4379870)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M1-8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress-m1-8

## Summary  
Progress M1-8 was a Russian cargo spacecraft designed to resupply space stations. Launched on March 21, 2002, it was part of the Progress-M1 class and delivered supplies before deorbiting on June 25, 2002.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: March 21, 2002 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Deorbit Date**: June 25, 2002 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Progress-M1 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2002-013A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Preceded By**: Progress M1-7 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Succeeded By**: Progress M-46 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Mission Duration**: Approximately 3 months  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Progress M1-8?  
A: Progress M1-8 was a cargo spacecraft designed to deliver supplies to space stations, part of Russia's resupply missions for orbital outposts.  

### Q: How long did Progress M1-8 remain in orbit?  
A: It orbited Earth for about three months, from its launch on March 21, 2002, until its deorbit on June 25, 2002.  

### Q: What rocket launched Progress M1-8?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket from Gagarin's Start at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.  

## Why It Matters  
Progress M1-8 played a critical role in maintaining the operational capabilities of space stations by delivering essential supplies, including food, fuel, and equipment. As part of the Progress-M1 class, it demonstrated Russia's continued reliability in unmanned resupply missions, a capability vital for sustained human presence in space. Its successful mission underscored the importance of cargo spacecraft in supporting long-duration spaceflight, paving the way for future logistics systems like those used today for the International Space Station.  

## Notable For  
- **Resupply Mission**: Delivered critical supplies to space stations.  
- **Progress-M1 Class**: Part of an upgraded variant of the Progress spacecraft.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Utilized a proven and reliable launch vehicle.  
- **Short Mission Duration**: Completed its mission in approximately three months.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on **March 21, 2002**, from **Gagarin's Start** aboard a **Soyuz-U** rocket.  
- Carried supplies for space stations, including food, fuel, and scientific equipment.  

### Orbital Operations  
- Operated in orbit for **three months** before deorbiting.  
- Conducted a controlled reentry over the Pacific Ocean on **June 25, 2002**.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Progress-M1, an upgraded variant optimized for cargo delivery.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2002-013A, uniquely identifying it in space mission records.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress M1-8",
  "description": "Russian cargo spacecraft launched in 2002 to resupply space stations.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27395",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M1-8"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Progress-M1"
}

## References

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