This meme comes to mind when we look at the TP-82. This was a Soviet-era weapon designed for Cosmonauts. Today, we will look at this interesting space gun.

Soviet Union TP-82 Cosmonaut Space Gun

While NASA was hard at work during the Cold War, the Soviets were also busy. During that time, they developed some very unique items. One of the more unusual yet practical tools developed for cosmonauts was the TP-82. This was a unique survival weapon designed to aid cosmonauts returning to Earth. Like you, I was ready to hear stories of dangers from aliens, but that was not the intent of the design. TP-82 had a specific and vital purpose: ensuring the safety of cosmonauts during emergency landings in remote or dangerous terrain.

The TP-82 traces its origins to the early days of the Soviet space program. During this time, cosmonauts faced the possibility of unintended landings in vast, uninhabited regions of Siberia. These areas were home to wild animals, including wolves and bears, and extreme weather conditions. The need for a multi-purpose survival tool became apparent after an incident in 1965.  Cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Pavel Belyayev landed off-course in the Ural Mountains. Stranded for two days in sub-zero temperatures, the cosmonauts faced threats from wildlife while awaiting rescue.

Lions and Tiger and Bears

Following this incident, Soviet space officials recognized the necessity of equipping cosmonauts with a weapon that could function both as a hunting tool and a defensive firearm. Traditional sidearms were insufficient, prompting the design and production of the TP-82.

The TP-82 was not your standard pistol. The gun was a triple-barreled firearm designed for versatility in survival situations. It featured two smoothbore barrels chambered for 12.5x70mm shotgun shells and a rifled barrel capable of firing 5.45x39mm rifle rounds. The same caliber was used in the AK-74. This configuration allowed cosmonauts to use the weapon for a variety of purposes. This included hunting small and medium-sized game, signaling for rescue, and self-defense against predators.

The TP-82 had a unique folding stock, which also functioned as a machete. I mean, if you are going to have a space gun, you might as well throw a machete on it. While I poke at this, it served a real purpose. The design provided cosmonauts with both a firearm and a cutting instrument for clearing brush or crafting shelter. Considering its multi-functional nature, the gun was relatively lightweight and easy to carry in a survival kit.

Survival Kit Gun

The TP-82 was not just a fad. In fact, it was a standard issue for Soviet and later Russian cosmonauts from the late 1980s until the early 2000s. The Russians included it in the survival kits of Soyuz spacecraft, ensuring that cosmonauts returning to Earth had a means of protection in the event of an off-course landing.

According to records, the  TP-82 was never needed in a survival situation. Even with that, it provided peace of mind for cosmonauts, particularly for those landing in the Siberian wilderness upon reentry. Over time, as search and rescue operations improved and survival technologies advanced, the necessity of the TP-82 diminished. Concerns about maintaining and replacing aging ammunition stocks led to its eventual phase-out.

Much to my disappointment, by the early 2000s, the TP-82 was replaced with a more conventional firearm, typically a standard semi-automatic pistol. Removing the TP-82 from the cosmonaut survival kit marked the end of an era.

The TP-82 – Gone But Not Forgotten

While it’s not a super model-level gun, the TP-82 remains a fascinating weapon. Its unique design, combining a shotgun, rifle, and machete into one survival tool, makes it a remarkable piece of equipment.

The TP-82 is a serious collector’s item, not just for gun nerds like us but also for those interested in space items and Soviet-era collectors. While modern technology has reduced the likelihood of cosmonauts fighting bears, the TP-82 remains a symbol of Soviet-era space ingenuity.