# Progress

> Russian expendable freighter spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q309363](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309363)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/progress

## Summary
Progress is a Russian expendable freighter spacecraft designed to resupply space stations. Developed in the Soviet Union and later used by Russia, it has been operational since 1970 and plays a critical role in delivering cargo, fuel, and supplies to orbital stations like the International Space Station (ISS).

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Expendable cargo spacecraft, part of the robotic spacecraft class designed to resupply space stations.
- **Origin**: Developed by the Soviet Union (1970) and later used by Russia.
- **Dimensions**: Length of 7.23 meters, diameter of 2.72 meters, with a payload mass of 2,400 kg.
- **Service Life**: Docking duration of up to 180 days.
- **Variants**: Includes Progress MS, Progress-M, Progress-M1, and Progress 7K-TG.
- **Notable Missions**: Recent flights include Progress MS-26 (2023), MS-27, MS-28, MS-29 (2024), and planned MS-30, MS-31, and MS-32 (2025).
- **Volume**: Cargo capacity of 7.6 cubic meters.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Progress spacecraft?
A: The Progress spacecraft is designed to resupply space stations with cargo, fuel, and essential supplies. It is an uncrewed, expendable vehicle that supports long-duration human spaceflight missions.

### Q: When was the Progress spacecraft first used?
A: The Progress spacecraft has been operational since 1970, initially developed by the Soviet Union.

### Q: What are the different variants of the Progress spacecraft?
A: Key variants include Progress MS, Progress-M, Progress-M1, and the earlier Progress 7K-TG. Each variant has been used to resupply space stations, with the MS series being the most recent.

### Q: How long can a Progress spacecraft remain docked to a space station?
A: The Progress spacecraft has a docking service life of up to 180 days.

### Q: What is the cargo capacity of the Progress spacecraft?
A: The Progress spacecraft can carry a payload of up to 2,400 kg and has a cargo volume of 7.6 cubic meters.

## Why It Matters
The Progress spacecraft is a cornerstone of human spaceflight, ensuring the continuous operation of space stations by delivering critical supplies. Since its inception in 1970, it has been instrumental in supporting missions to Salyut, Mir, and the International Space Station (ISS). Without reliable cargo resupply vehicles like Progress, long-term human presence in space would be unsustainable. Its role in transporting fuel, food, water, and scientific equipment makes it indispensable for maintaining orbital laboratories and enabling groundbreaking research in microgravity. The Progress series also demonstrates Russia's long-standing expertise in space logistics, contributing to international cooperation in space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Firsts**: One of the first dedicated cargo spacecraft, pioneering uncrewed resupply missions since 1970.
- **Reliability**: Proven track record with over five decades of service across multiple space station programs.
- **Versatility**: Multiple variants (e.g., Progress-M, Progress-MS) adapted for evolving mission requirements.
- **International Role**: Critical supplier to the ISS, alongside other cargo vehicles like SpaceX’s Dragon and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus.
- **Expendable Design**: Unlike reusable spacecraft, Progress is designed for single-use missions, simplifying logistics and reducing costs.

## Body
### Overview
The Progress spacecraft is a robotic cargo vehicle developed to resupply space stations. It is part of a broader class of cargo spacecraft and has been a key component of Soviet and Russian space programs since 1970.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: Payload capacity of 2,400 kg.
- **Dimensions**: Length of 7.23 meters, diameter of 2.72 meters.
- **Volume**: Cargo volume of 7.6 cubic meters.
- **Service Life**: Docking duration of up to 180 days.

### Variants
- **Progress MS**: The most recent variant, used for resupply missions to the ISS.
- **Progress-M**: An earlier variant used for resupply missions.
- **Progress-M1**: A modified version with enhanced capabilities.
- **Progress 7K-TG**: The original Soviet-era uncrewed spacecraft.

### Missions
Progress spacecraft have been used in numerous resupply missions, including:
- **Progress MS-26**: A 2023 resupply mission to the ISS.
- **Progress MS-27, MS-28, MS-29**: 2024 resupply missions to the ISS.
- **Progress MS-30, MS-31, MS-32**: Planned 2025 resupply missions to the ISS.

### Role in Space Exploration
The Progress spacecraft has been essential in supporting long-duration human spaceflight missions. It has resupplied multiple space stations, including Salyut, Mir, and the ISS, ensuring the continuous operation of these orbital laboratories.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Progress",
  "description": "Russian expendable freighter spacecraft designed to resupply space stations.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187386",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_(spacecraft)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "CargoSpacecraft"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013