Progress-M ( , GRAU indices 11F615A55 and 11F615A60), also known as Progress 7K-TGM, is a Russian, previously Soviet spacecraft which is used to resupply space stations. It is a variant of the Progress spacecraft, originally built in the late 1980s as a modernised version of the Progress 7K-TG spacecraft, using new systems developed for the Soyuz-T and Soyuz-TM spacecraft. The 11F61560 variant is further modernised with digital flight control systems replacing the earlier analogue ones. The older 11F615A55 spacecraft is being phased out in favour of the 11F61560, with the last launch of the older model in July 2009.

The first forty three Progress-M spacecraft were used to resupply Mir, with subsequent spacecraft flying to the International Space Station. As of June 2009, sixty eight spacecraft have been launched, with sixty six using the older model, and two using the newer version.

Two Progress-M spacecraft, M-14 and M-38, were modified to carry VDU attitude control systems to the Mir space station.

The Progress-M1 is a derivative of the Progress-M, optimised to carry more fuel, at the expense of dry cargo and water. It entered service in 2000, and was retired in 2004. A modernised version, incorporating the upgrades made to the Progress-M 11F61560 is scheduled to enter service in 2011.

See also

• Automated Transfer Vehicle
• Cygnus spacecraft
• SpaceX Dragon

References