Cosmos 133 was a Soviet Soyuz programme test satellite launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome aboard a Vostok rocket. It was the first test flight of the Soyuz 7K-OK earth orbit spacecraft. It was a planned "all up" test with a second Soyuz to be launched the following day and automatically dock with Cosmos 133. However, its attitude control system malfunctioned, resulting in rapid consumption of orientation fuel, leaving it spinning at 2 rpm. After heroic efforts by ground control and 5 attempts at retrofire over two days, the craft was finally coming down for a landing. Due to the inaccuracy of the reentry burn, it was determined that the capsule would land in China. The self destruct command was given and the satellite exploded November 30, 1966 at 10:21 GMT.

Mission Parameters

• Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK
• Mass: 6450 kg
• Crew: None
• Launched: November 28, 1966 at 11:02:00 UTC
• Landed: November 30, 1966 at 10:21 UTC
• Perigee: 171 km
• Apogee: 223 km
• Inclination: 51.9°
• Period: 88.4 minutes
• NSSDC ID: 1966-107A

Reference

Text comes from NASA NSSDC Master Catalog