The ASSO-400 Harpoon Grappling Gun, manufactured by Spacesub, was designed to assist starship crews during emergency manual docking maneuvers. The gun fired a harpoon that was tipped with a grappling hook connected to a tether. Upon firing, the grappling hook attached to a target, and could be used to close the distance between the wielder and free floating objects and other people in the zero gravity of space. The ASSO-400 could be bought for $300.[1]
The USCSS Nostromo's Starcub shuttle Narcissus carried at least one ASSO-400, stowed within the internal locker where the Mk.50 compression suits were kept. Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley used the harpoon gun against an alien that had stowed away on the shuttle following the destruction of the Nostromo. After voiding the cabin to space in an attempt to blow the alien out of the shuttle, it gripped the edges of the airlock to save itself. Ripley fired the harpoon gun, striking the creature and knocking it out of the ship. Unfortunately, the airlock door close on the weapon before it could follow the alien out, leaving the creature tethered to the ship. Ripley managed to use the shuttle's engines to send the creature spinning away into space.[2]
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Appearances[]
- Alien (First appearance)