Mystery: Why is NASA training astronauts in Medieval Weaponry, page 3

Originally posted by Wayfarer
reply to post by 46ACE

I do, but not in any context related to my Martial Arts Organization (wife loves the rennfaire shopping experience). In fact, my organization staunchly distances itself from groups like SCA and rennfaire fight troupes for the very reason that what they do isn't historically accurate. We train only from historic sources, use only historic training tools, and fight(spar) at high speed with minimal safety equipment (exactly like it was done 500 years ago).
edit on 19-10-2011 by Wayfarer because: spelling
edit on 19-10-2011 by Wayfarer because: more spelling

My group tried to join the SCA a few years ago, and I have to agree with you there. We do a lot in the way of demonstration and education with a healthy dose of volunteer events. I've got to tell you that the idea of NASA contacting you folks for training is more than 'odd'. I ran this one past my 'brothers' and our consensus is that they must have an emergency contingency they're preparing for. But why NASA and not the military at large? An EMP would knock out electronics, rendering most modern weapons useless... but in the late medieval period, there were guns. Why not learn musket or archery? Why swordplay? (We call it play... they call it dangerous)

This is totally not running with scissors.

I would imagine they are expecting hand to hand combat, but without a sword, you could use just about anything.. a pipe, a stick... it's the technique they're interested in in my humble opinion. Maybe they're not looking at space applications at all. Perhaps they're preparing for something closer to home? As far as the discipline goes, they could obtain that with any martial art, but they chose historically correct swordsmanship? AND WHY would they not just take training from the armed forces? Why is it only NASA and not the whole armed forces?

My group has an idea that perhaps at some point they may be looking to colonize another planet. Depending on the magnetism there, our technology may not work. Perhaps they would want astronauts to be prepared in case of a less than perfect landing that destroys the battery charger?

Of course this is all speculation, perhaps they ARE going back in time.. and if that's the case, they should just send the experts like you and me

Why should they have all the fun?!?

~edit~ I don't believe it's for the armor/space-suit idea... mobility is limited in both, but if you cut your space-suit, you're up the creek.. and by the footage I've seen, space-suits offer more mobility AND they are lighter in weight!

edit on 19-10-2011 by Invariance because: see ~edit~ note in post