Cosmos 167

Launch data:

Specifications: Prime contractor  Lavochkin Operator   Mass at launch  1104 kg Dry Mass   Base probe: Basic shape - Dimension  high= 3.5m Solar array  4 solar panels with an area of 2.5 m² Landing capsule: Basic shape  sphere Dimension  dia= 1m Dry Mass  383 kg Caracteristiques identique on Venera 4 Decay: Descent date:  25 Jun 1967 Lifetime:  7,99 days

Venera 4 Venera 4 capsule

Mission details:

• This mission was intended to be a Venus lander, similar in design to the Venera 4 spacecraft launched 5 days earlier on 12 June. Stage 4 engine 11D33 failed to ignite, because the turbopump had not been cooled before ignition. The spacecraft became stranded in Earth orbit and was designated Cosmos 167. Its orbit decayed and it re-entered Earth's atmosphere 8 days after launch.
• Suggestions for the cause of the failure included incorrect soldering of wires in multiple pin plugs, wrong attachments of the plugs to the pyrotechnic connectors, or a mix-up of the pyrotechnic connectors during assembly. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.