Soyuz carrying guns?

[JonClarke]

<br /><br />The primary purpose of the Soyuz gun is as a signalling device, to launch flares. Once a decision has been made to carry such a hazardous device on board giving it limited aditional limited capabilities makes sense and does not increase the hazard. A shot may also be more effective a signal thaan a flare under some ciculmstances too, like dense forest<br /><br />As for food, it takes ~30 days to die from lack of food, so there are other priorities - shelter, injuries, and water being the top ones.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[thinice]

<i>> the best use of the survival gun after a severely off-target landing would be in obtaining food.</i><br /><br />And the best tool for obtaining food after an off-target landing is a sat phone.<br />

 

[docm]

Capsule: Yuri, break out the sat phone. We need to call for help.<br /><br />(ring)<br /><br />Mission Control: Hello. Can we help you?<br /><br />Capsule: Yes! Our spacecraft has landed 1,000 miles from nowhere, our food is running low, some aggressive sounding animal is scratching on the capsule and we can't find the gun! WHERE THE F*** IS IT??!!<br /><br />Mission Control: Someone posted in an Uplink thread that they weren't necessary. A Duma Budget Committee member got wind of the theory and after a short debate they de-listed the gun from the stores budget. Have you tried removing the periscope? You might be able to use it as a club.<br /><br />Capsule: (multiple expletives deleted)<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Mee_n_Mac]

Dare I ask if they carry a survival knife / ax on board ? If so where are the concerns over that ? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-----------------------------------------------------</p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,</font></p><p><font color="#ff0000">Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, <strong>STOP</strong> !</font></p> </div>

 

[thinice]

A survival knife is in the gun's buttstock. So, there is no need for a separate concern. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[docm]

Someone may cut their finger taking it out of the sheath? <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /><br />FWIW I carry a folding knife all the time (S&W ExtremeOps) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>