Progress spacecraft

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Progress is currently Russian cargo spacecraft to International Space Station (ISS). Originally it was Soviet supply cargo to space station Mir. 

Progress has similar size and shape as Soyuz spacecraft. It consists of 3 parts: 
  • A pressurized module in the front, carrying scientific equipment, food, letters from home, clothes.
  • A fuel compartment - the reentry module from Soyuz was replaced with an unpressurized propellant and refueling compartment. 
  • A propulsion module. That remained unchanged. 

There is no need for life support and heat shields, so the mas was reduced. After undocking, the spacecraft makes a retrofire and burns up in the atmosphere. 

Version:

Progress (1978-1990) or also Progress 7K-TG was Soviet unmanned spacecraft which was used to resupply space station in low orbit, including Salyut 6, Salyut 7, and Mir. It was the first version of the Progress spacecraft. This version was derived from the manned Soyuz 7K-T called also "ferry". That was designed for Salyut program. The descent version was replaced for fuel tanks and pumps used for refuelling the space station. Progress didn't have solar panels, as well as Soyuz 7K-T. They had batteries for about 33 days. Later mission were able to spend 75 days in the orbit.  

Progress-M 11F615A55 (1989-2009) or also Progress 7K-TGM and Progress-M 11F615A60 (2008-2015) was first launched in August 1989. The first  43 Progress-M spacecraft were used to resupply Mir, and later spacecraft were used to resupply ISS. 
They were using systems developed for the Soyuz-T and Soyuz-TM. The later variant with number 11F61560 included modernisation of old analogue flight control systems for digital systems. 


Progress M-47 departing from ISS 

Progress M1 (2000-2004) was derived from the Progress-M to carry more fuel by reducing dry cargo and water. The modernized planned version Progress M2 was cancelled.  
Progress MS (2015 - now) spacecraft was first launched in December 2015 and fully replaced the Progress series. 
NASA: Currently the last Progress MS-08 docking to ISS, launched on February 13, 2018 (the next planned for July 2018)


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