It may seem a bit of a stretch but there are intriguing connections between the U.S space program and my beloved sport of fencing. It struck me when I noticed similarities between the requisite gear for each. It was initially the white garments and protective headgear but research and collaboration produced exciting surprises. Foil, epee, and saber are the three so-called “weapons” in fencing and all have blunt tips as well as the basic white jacket, glove, knickers, masks, shoes, and underarm protector. Spacesuits have a torso piece, pants, gloves, helmet, boots, and inner protection garment. In this article I will describe just three ways in which fencing and the U.S. space program are connected: garments and equipment, fencers, and exercise.
Equipment - Sport Fencing vs. Space Suits
Have you ever noticed that fencing outfits resemble the strange otherworldliness of space suits? Both traditional fencing outfits and spacesuits are basically white but for different reasons. Fencing whites were designed before electronics took over the burden of acknowledging a legitimate touch on the opponent. Weapons were originally tipped with charcoal to clearly mark a touch on the opponent’s garment. Once the score was recorded the charcoal mark would then be wiped off. Spacesuits are white because the temperature rapidly climbs to over 250 degrees in full sunlight. White reflects the heat far better than a colored fabric.
Participants in both activities wear several layers of protective garments. Fencing accoutrements must meet standard strength specifications to protect the fencer from repeated weapon contact or rare penetration. All fencing weapons are blunt but do exert concentrated pressure on the body causing small bruises. The jacket and thick underarm protector are required by all contestants. In addition, women are required to wear a hard plastic breast protector, which is optional for men. Astronauts’ spacesuits guard against radiation and high velocity debris impact. An undergarment resembling thermal underwear with tubes provides body temperature regulation continuously by circulating coolant around the astronaut’s body. What fencer wouldn’t love to have the latter option?
