Will a Space Gun Always Hit Something? (w/ THE EXPANSE)

TL;DR

Space projectiles, such as bullets and railguns, fired in space would likely travel vast distances without hitting anything due to the vastness of space.

Transcript

on march 18th 1965 cosmonaut alexei leonov successfully completed a historic 12 minute and nine second spacewalk in the emptiness above north central africa the rest of his mission didn't go so smoothly a cramped voshkod spacecraft and overly inflated spacesuits caused a 46 second delay in reorienting the ship's center of gravity during its reentry... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🚀 The TP82 survival pistol was developed to address the safety concerns of astronauts during landings in remote and hazardous areas.
• 👾 Firing bullets or projectiles in space poses challenges due to the lack of gravity and air resistance, as objects will continue to travel until they collide with something.
• 💩 The density of potential targets and the specific volume and location in space play a significant role in determining the likelihood of hitting something.
• 💮 The vastness of space makes it highly unlikely for randomly fired projectiles to hit anything, and the risk of unintended consequences is relatively low.
• 🔫 The legality of carrying guns and weapons in space has not been explicitly addressed, but safety and ethical considerations would likely discourage their use.
• 💩 Gravity wells and the presence of other objects in space can significantly alter the trajectory and likelihood of hitting something with a projectile.
• 👾 Firing bullets or projectiles recklessly in space would pose a threat to other spacecraft or objects, necessitating careful targeting procedures.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why were survival pistols like the TP82 used by cosmonauts in space?

Survival pistols were carried to protect astronauts during landings in remote and dangerous locations, where there may be wildlife threats.

Q: Why are people concerned about firing bullets or projectiles in space?

The lack of gravity and air resistance in space means that objects will continue to travel until they hit something, raising concerns about unintended consequences and potential collisions with spacecraft or objects.

Q: Are guns and weapons carried by astronauts illegal in space?

There are no specific regulations regarding guns and weapons in space, but the ethical and safety considerations would likely discourage their use.

Q: What factors determine the likelihood of hitting something in the vastness of space?

Factors such as the density of potential targets, the speed and trajectory of the projectiles, and the specific volume and location in space all contribute to the likelihood of hitting something.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov's survival pistol, the TP82, was created to ensure the safety of astronauts during landings in remote and dangerous locations.

• Firing bullets or projectiles in space poses concerns about unintended consequences due to the lack of gravity and air resistance.

• The density of potential targets and the likelihood of hitting something vary depending on the specific volume and location in space.