Kosmos 133 was operated in a low Earth orbit, on 28 November 1966, it had a perigee of 171.0 km (106.3 mi), an apogee of 223.0 km (138.6 mi), an inclination of 51.9°, and an orbital period of 88.4 minutes.

Before this, the attitude control system (ACS) 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.

[1] The fireball passed over west Japan and was recorded by photos and a sketch.