The Progress carried propellant and cargo to the Mir space station, the propellant being used to boost Mir and to maintain its orbit. MirCorp provided the funding for this flight, to ensure the space station would remain operational for continued commercial use. The Progress carried 2318 kg (5109 lbm) of propellant and 532 kg (1172 lbm) of equipment including such items as food, clothes, office supplies, videotape and personal items.

The flight used a four-day orbital approach, which is more economical in terms of fuel use, rather than the more frequently used two-day flight maneuvers. The fuel saved being made available to push Mir to a higher orbit.