Kosmos 133

Kosmos 133 (Russian: Космос 133, meaning "Cosmos 133"), Soyuz 7K-OK No.2, was the first uncrewed test flight of the Soyuz spacecraft, and first mission of the Soyuz programme, as part of the Soviet space programme.

Kosmos 133
Soyuz 7K-OK(A) spacecraft with an active docking unit.
Mission typeUncrewed spacecraft
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1966-107A
SATCAT no.02601
Mission duration1 day, 23 hours and 19 minutes
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSoyuz 7K-OK No.2
Spacecraft typeSoyuz 7K-OK
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass6450 kg [1]
Start of mission
Launch date28 November 1966
11:02:00 GMT [2]
RocketSoyuz 11A511 s/n U15000-02
Launch siteBaikonour, Site 31/6
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalExploded: on the self-destruct command of ground
Landing date30 November 1966, 10:21 GMT
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric [2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude171 km
Apogee altitude223 km
Inclination51.9°
Period88.4 minutes
Epoch28 November 1966
 

Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the maiden flight of the Soyuz 11A511 s/n U15000-02 [3] carrier rocket, Kosmos 133 was planned "all up" test, to include an automated docking with a second Soyuz (Soyuz 7K-OK No.1), which was scheduled for launch the day after Kosmos 133.

Kosmos 133 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 28 November 1966, it had a perigee of 171 kilometres (106 mi), an apogee of 223 kilometres (139 mi), an inclination of 51.9°, and an orbital period of 88.4 minutes.[2]

Problems found during ground testing of the second spacecraft resulted in its launch being delayed, and it was destroyed when its carrier rocket exploded on its launch pad following a scrubbed launch attempt in December. Before this, the attitude control system of Kosmos 133 malfunctioned, resulting in rapid consumption of orientation fuel, leaving it spinning at 2 rpm. After large 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 30 November 1966 at 10:21 GMT.[1]

The fireball passed over west Japan and was recorded by photos and a sketch. Kōichirō Tomita identified that it was the Kosmos 133 spacecraft (30 November 1966).[4]

References
  1. "Cosmos 133: Display 1966-107A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Cosmos 133: Trajectory 1966-107A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  4. 加茂昭, Kamo, Akira (2012). 空とぶマネキン人形 [Flying Mannequin Doll / Mannequin Cosmonaut]. Japan: Seikosha 星湖舎. ISBN 9784863720275.
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