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Comment by wongarsu | original | Why did some Apollo missions carry a grenade launcher?
[−]wongarsu · 2026-11-15 Sun 12:16 UTC · link
You might be underestimating how remote some Soviet capsules landed. If they overshot their landing site they might be alone in the wilderness for days until rescue teams arrived

"Kosmonaut survives space mission, gets mauled by bear protecting her cub" is not a great headline. Bringing gun was relatively cheap insurance

[−]Geezus_42 · 2026-11-15 Sun 13:06 UTC · link
Might need something to eat if you have to wait a few days for the rescue team to reach you.
[−]mattmaroon · 2026-11-15 Sun 13:29 UTC · link
Gun and bear solves that problem too.
[−]cucumber3732842 · 2026-11-15 Sun 15:09 UTC · link
"So the bad news is we're responsible for our next meal, but the good news is Ivan's space food farts will lead the meal right to us"
[−]b112 · 2026-11-15 Sun 17:58 UTC · link
[−]TeMPOraL · 2026-11-15 Sun 13:48 UTC · link
A gun helps with that, too.
[−]Someone · 2026-11-15 Sun 14:05 UTC · link
Want, not need. A few days without food is quite survivable for a healthy human. And if you get selected for a space flight, you are healthy.
[−]TeMPOraL · 2026-11-15 Sun 14:19 UTC · link
That works if you have absolute trust the rescue team will reach you on schedule. If you are unsure whether few days won't turn into few weeks, or whether there will be a rescue team at all, it's best to secure food and shelter while you still have the energy to do it.
[−]lenerdenator · 2026-11-15 Sun 16:33 UTC · link
> "Kosmonaut survives space mission, gets mauled by bear protecting her cub" is not a great headline.

Let's be honest here: the Soviets were never going to print that anyways.

[−]SXX · 2026-11-15 Sun 16:39 UTC · link
It would certainly be printed for KPSS Politburo and someone would end up far away in Siberia.