SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM

Soyuz | Soyuz 13

SUCCESS Soyuz →
Dec 18, 1973 at 11:55 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Human Exploration Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan 94% success
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Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PAD1/5
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEHuman Exploration
PROGRAMSoyuz

Soyuz 13 launched on 18 December 1973, 11:55:00 UTC. It carried commander Pyotr Klimuk and flight engineer Valentin Lebedev into orbit. This mission was the second test flight of the modified Soyuz spacecraft. Crew spent 7 deays in orbit and carried out various astrophysical studies. They also obtained ultraviolet spectrograms of stars with the help of an Orion 2 Space Observatory onboard the spacecraft. Crew returned to Earth, landing on 26 December 1973, 08:50:35 UTC.

VEHICLE
Soyuz
MISSION
Soyuz 13
MISSION TYPE
Human Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
1/5
PROGRAM
Soyuz
COUNTRY
RUS
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: b57efdaf-7c9d-4853-9e1a-c2f54970814a
Reported date: Dec 18, 1973 at 11:55 UTC
Last synced: 20 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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Soyuz 7K-T 11F615A8 #33SERIAL
1FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
Single UseSTATUS

Soyuz 13 was a Soyuz spacecraft which launched on 18 December 1973 11:55 UTC. It launched two cosmonauts to orbit for science purposes. The crew was Pyotr Klimuk and Valentin…

CREW MANIFEST
Pyotr KlimukCommander
Valentin LebedevFlight Engineer
MANUFACTURER
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)
FLIGHTS
32
SUCCESSES
30
SUCCESS RATE
93.8%
When is the Soyuz | Soyuz 13 launch?
The Soyuz | Soyuz 13 is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18, 1973 at 11:55 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Soyuz 13?
The Soyuz | Soyuz 13 mission uses the Soyuz rocket, manufactured by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS). The Soyuz has flown 32 times with a 93.8% success rate.
Where is the Soyuz | Soyuz 13 launching from?
The launch takes place from 1/5 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Soyuz 13 going to?
The Soyuz 13 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Soyuz 13?
The Soyuz | Soyuz 13 is operated by Soviet Space Program. It is part of the Soyuz program.
Can I watch the Soyuz | Soyuz 13 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 18, 1973 at 11:55 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Soviet Space Program
Mar 28, 2026 21:45 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 20 minutes ago
Launch Library 220 minutes ago
Launch ID: b57efdaf-7c9d-4853-9e1a-c2f54970814a
Open-Meteo Weather16 hours ago
Pad weather at 45.92, 63.34

Mission Profile

Soyuz 13 was a Soyuz mission operated by Soviet Space Program that lifted off from 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on December 18, 1973. The flight carried its payload on a human exploration mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Soyuz program. The launch was a success.