Automatic spacecraft (not-manned) PROGRESS-M (last version of PROGRESS series) is used in the carrier of scientific equipment and in the restocking of the MIR with drinking waters and foods. When coupling itself in the MIR, the ship is unloaded and filled with the trash produced by the station. After that it returns to the Earth's atmosphere.

Ship PROGRESS is not reusable. It disintegrates when in the terrestrial atmosphere and it falls in a safe region of the Pacific ocean, in order that parts that eventually do not carbonize in the re-entry don't reach inhabited regions.