All types of martial arts as known and practiced on the planet earth, will present a totally different picture if they are practiced in outer space. Because outer space is a different environment than the environment of the earth. The earth’s environment is enveloped in an atmospheric blanket that exhibits a pressure, which helps to keep everything in place. The earth also exhibits electromagnetism, which helps to maintain the electromagnetic positioning of everything that is on the planet earth.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum video “Karate and Air Pressure with Astronaut Michael Good: ISS Science”:
National Geographic video “Electromagnetism 101 | National Geographic”:
Along with electromagnetism, atmospheric pressure, and more, the earth also exhibits gravity. It is due to this gravity that human beings are grounded to the earth by the centre of gravity. All martial techniques like stances, punches, kicks, and blocks need balance, and balance is maintained by the centre of gravity, because the earth provides a firm base of support.
Muscle and Motion video “Mastering Balance: The Science of Center of Gravity and Base of Support”:
However, in outer space, there is microgravity due to which objects float. Moreover, outer space has varying gravities on varying celestial objects, and this variation affects how outer space martial arts can be practiced and executed. The current human knowledge of outer space consists of the universe and its celestial objects. Let us begin with a brief comprehension of outer space and then proceed to understand a bit more about outer space martial arts.
The Outer Space
Universe
It is due to gravity that the moon rotates around the earth, the earth rotates around the sun, the sun rotates around the galaxy, the galaxy rotates with its cluster of galaxies, and the cluster of galaxies rotate with the universe. The universe is immensely big, and there is very little knowledge about it; however, it may be possible that the universe also rotates around other universes and likewise subsequent rotations relative to still other bigger universes, may go on ad infinitum.
Understand Universe video “03- Exploring the Universe: Celestial Objects”:
Spacetime video “Journey to the edge of the Observable Universe”:
Fundamental forces
The universe exhibits several forces, which may be grouped as four fundamental forces, namely, gravity, electromagnetism, weak force, and strong force. Among these forces, it is gravity that plays a major role in binding all celestial bodies together.
Learning Curve video “What Holds the Universe Together? The Fundamental Forces”:
SEA video “The Four Fundamental Forces (4K)”:
Every celestial body experiences some form of gravity. Let us narrow down from the infinite universe to our own solar system.
Solar system
Our solar system is a part of the Milky Way galaxy. In our solar system there is one sun, eight planets, five dwarf planets, and several moons, that together revolve in different orbits in the Milky Way galaxy.
National Geographic video “Solar System 101 | National Geographic”:
MooMooMath and Science video “Meet the 5 Dwarf Planets”:
Space Matters video “The REAL Movement of Earth Through the Galaxy”:
Gravity
It is known that gravity pulls everything towards it. Earlier, it was accepted that gravity was a force; however, due to the introduction of quantum physics and the theory of relativity, the very concept of gravity has undergone a paradigm shift. Nowadays, it is understood that gravity is not a force, but rather it is an effect of the bending of spacetime, due to which everything is falling down constantly towards the gravity of the most nearby celestial object. If any object in space travels at a very high speed, then it misses the gravity of the nearby celestial object and due to this missing, it travels in a fixed path, which is known as an orbit. Due to their respective orbits, the earth does not crash in the sun, and likewise all other planets and moons do not crash into the sun and amongst each other.
Destiny video “Discovery That Changed Physics! Gravity is NOT a Force!”:
Veritasium video “How Gravity Actually Works”:
The Science Asylum video “The REAL source of Gravity might SURPRISE you…”:
Gravity is not uniform in the solar system. The gravity of different planets and other celestial objects are different, due to their different masses and distances between them.
Astronomic video “The Gravity On Other Planets | Astronomic”:
Microgravity
The contents of the spatial distance between the celestial objects, may be called as ether, or dark matter, or dark energy, or sometimes simply referred to as outer space. Popularly, outer space is understood to have no gravity or zero-gravity and is prominently characterized by the phenomenon of floating.
NASA Johnson video “Station Tour: Harmony, Tranquility, Unity”:
Interesting Engineering video “How do zero-gravity planes work?”:
However popular it may be, yet the concept of no-gravity or zero gravity is a myth, as there is some gravity, strong or weak, throughout the universe. This weak or almost negligible gravity is known as microgravity. The overcoming or missing of microgravity is due to the speed of the rotating celestial body, be it a star, a planet, a moon, or a satellite. The speed of the celestial body is so great that although it is continuously falling, yet it overcomes or misses microgravity and remains in its orbit.
Big Think video “Why zero gravity is a myth: The amazing science of ‘floating’ astronauts | NASA’s Michelle Thaller”:
MSciencetv video “Physics : Why Do Astronauts Float in Space ? | Gravity or not ? Questions asked to You ! [HD]”:
Spacetime
With the advances in scientific inquiry, nowadays, it is understood that in the ever-expanding universe, space can bend, time can bend, and light also can bend, as explained by the concept of spacetime. In physics, spacetime, also called the space-time continuum, is a mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum. Spacetime is four-dimensional and represented by a set of coordinates x, y, z, t, where x = length, y = width, z = height/depth, and t = time.
Keerthan Shetty video “Einstein explains Space-time fabric and Bending of Light| Genius”:
National Geographic video “Time Is But a Stubborn Illusion – Sneak Peek | Genius”:
Science ABC video “What Exactly is Spacetime? Explained in Ridiculously Simple Words”:
Klonusk video “Easy Way to Understand Special Relativity | Lorentz Transformation | Time dilation”:
@sciexplained video “Space Time Difference Explained Michio Kaku #universe #shorts”:
Dialect video “Why The Theory of Relativity Doesn’t Add Up (In Einstein’s Own Words)”:
Big Think video “Michio Kaku: What If Einstein Is Wrong? | Big Think”:
Martial Arts in Outer Space
Now that we have some understanding of outer space, let us proceed to comprehend how martial arts, both empty-handed and weapon-based, can be performed in outer space.
Empty-handed outer space martial arts
—Different environment. Outer space presents a different environment, and the human body reacts to it differently. Thus, martial artists in outer space would face different bodily actions and reactions.
WIRED video “Astronaut Chris Hadfield Debunks Space Myths | WIRED”:
Insider Tech video “What Happens To The Human Body In Space”:
BBC Global video “What happens to the human body in space? | BBC Global”:
PBS NewsHour video “Astronaut who spent a year in space discusses readjusting to life back on Earth”:
—No oxygen. There is no oxygen in outer space, so some sort of spacesuit or a spaceship would be required by outer space martial artists.
Insider Tech video “Here’s how long humans could survive in space without a spacesuit”:
Science video “Astronaut Demonstrates How A Space Suit Works”:
CNBC video “NASA’s Next-Generation Spacesuits — A Behind-The-Scenes Look”:
—Floating. In space, the human body experiences microgravity, resulting in a free fall, also known as weightlessness. Thus, bare-handed fights would be undertaken while floating.
@Horizon02 video “Fight in space”:
—No use of conditioned body parts. In outer space, the body of a martial artist would be covered by the spacesuit, and thus, the conditioned body parts of the martial artist would be of no use, as they will not serve as weapons. Even if a fight takes place inside a spaceship where there is no spacesuit, yet the fighters would be floating, and this would render conditioned body parts almost useless, as they would have minimum or no impact at all.
—Altered perception of techniques. Since the martial artists would float in the microgravity of outer space, almost all techniques of martial arts would be altered, as a punch could easily be perceived as a block and vice-versa.
@combatbase video “A Guard in Outerspace”:
—Perspective training. In outer space, since an attacking move could be perceived as a defensive move, understanding whether the opponent is attacking or defending would be difficult. Thus, martial artists in outer space would have to understand that any martial movement can be an attack or a defense, based on the perspective from which it is viewed. Therefore, a new type of perspective training might have to be incorporated for outer space martial artists.
Tigon Karate video “Change Your Perspective – Martial Arts Training Tips”:
—No power in strikes. Power in martial arts techniques comes from mass, speed, and technique. In outer space, mass and speed will become irrelevant and only technique might work to some degree. Speed and mass will not be effective in the microgravity of outer space, since in microgravity it is proved that a feather and a heavy ball will fall at the same speed.
BBC video “Brian Cox visits the world’s biggest vacuum | Human Universe – BBC”:
However, upon impact, the heavier mass may have some effect, but still, it would be negligible. So, the only reliable source of power in martial arts movements in outer space would most likely be technique focusing on slow movements executed with precision and control.
—Oxygen conservation. Within techniques, only such techniques would be effective which use less resources. In outer space, in both a spacesuit and a spaceship, oxygen is a precious resource, which needs to be spent and conserved wisely. Striking techniques like punches and kicks, require more oxygen and thus, all striking martial arts would be very expensive to use in outer space. Moreover, due to the ineffectiveness of speed and mass, the power in the strikes would be absent, which would make all striking techniques futile.
Astro Bytes video “How Does The ISS Get Oxygen?”:
BRIGHT SIDE video “How Astronauts Make Oxygen in Space from Their Bodies”:
—Grappling. Techniques of grappling martial arts may be of some use in outer space; however, while floating in outer space, a spacesuit would render chokes and submissions useless. Instead, new martial techniques adapted to a spacesuit, like pulling out or dislocating the oxygen pipe from the opponent’s spacesuit would need to be introduced. Successful removal of the oxygen pipe from the spacesuit of the opponent, would produce results almost similar to choking. While floating, balance and leverage would be important, thus techniques that are slower but having more precision and control would win over techniques requiring speed and power.
—Energy conservation. The energy of the body is also a precious resource, and it is largely dependent on oxygen; thus, conservation of oxygen and energy, would be paramount. Therefore, utilizing the opponent’s energy to one’s own advantage seems to be an effective technique in outer space. Martial arts that use the opponent’s movement advantageously might gain precedence over other martial arts, as both energy and oxygen would be least expended. To use the opponent’s movement would involve throwing or dis-balancing the opponent, and therefore, in outer space, martial arts like Jujutsu, Aikido, and Judo, might be better suited than striking martial arts like Karate, Taekwondo, and Kung Fu.
—Floating away. In outer space, throwing or dis-balancing a floating opponent, may not produce a shock or break bones, as there would be no ground to fall upon, yet it may make the opponent float farther away in outer space. If the opponent floats away in outer space, then survival chances for the opponent may be very bleak.
V101 SPACE video “What Would Happen If An Astronaut Floated Away Into Space?”:
—Floating away to other planets. If the opponent floats away far enough, then it might result in a spinning free fall, and the opponent may be sucked in the gravity of some planet, to experience a fatal consequence, depending upon the planet where the opponent falls.
What If video “What Would Dying on Every Planet Be Like?”:
—Floating away to earth. If the earth is the nearest celestial body, then the opponent may fall towards the gravity of the earth, just like a meteor falls towards the earth. In the case of meteors, they do not have any protective layer, and therefore when they enter the earth’s atmosphere, they usually burn away. But in the case of a falling opponent, the spacesuit would protect from the heat produced by the friction of the earth’s atmospheric molecules, and once at a reasonable height when the parachute opens up, then a safe landing would be possible. A parachute is critical for landing, either for a spacesuit or a space craft, and if it fails to open up, then it is indeed an extremely unfortunate and a very sad incident.
BBC Global video “Vladimir Komarov: the first man to die in space – BBC REEL”:
Nonetheless, it is also possible that the falling person has a good heat-resistant spacesuit, has the ability to stop the spinning free fall, the parachute also opens up, and it results in a safe landing.
Red Bull video “I Jumped From Space (World Record Supersonic Freefall)”:
CBS News video “Watch: New footage of Fearless Felix space jump”:
—Specialized training with ARED. Martial artists need to workout in outer space for at least two hours every day. Specialized training routines with Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) need to be performed, to prevent loss in bone density and muscle mass. Such training would provide cardiovascular and muscular improvement in outer space martial artists.
NASA Johnson video “SpeedyTime #2 – Advanced Resistive Exercise Device”:
NASA Johnson video “Running in Space!”:
—Specialized training with virtual reality (VR). Some VR applications mimic the microgravity of outer space. Although VR applications focusing on outer space martial arts are not yet made; however, they may be made in the future and martial artists may train in such VR outer space martial art applications, to develop techniques suitable in a microgravity environment.
National Geographic video “First-Ever 3D VR Filmed in Space | One Strange Rock”:
Vicinity360 video “360° VR Spacewalk Experience | BBC HOME”:
—Specialized endurance training. The tenets and values of martial arts already empower the martial artist with endurance; however, specialized endurance training may be incorporated to enhance mental resilience and to combat the stress of isolation in outer space. Such training might also help in increasing the mental fortitude to tackle unexpected problems and situations, like some malfunctions in the space station that may require urgent repairing work.
Forbes Breaking News video “NASA Releases Spacewalk Footage From Astronauts Outside International Space Station”:
—Specialized teamwork training. Around two to ten astronauts are always on the space station. They come from different nations and cultures, thus, effective teamwork amongst them is crucial. It may be possible that some astronauts may also be martial artists, and they may practice martial arts in outer space, as martial arts have proven to enhance cooperation and effective teamwork.
@GalacticInsightHQ video “The Forgotten Drama of Skylab’s First Crew: Trials in Space”:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum video “It Takes Teamwork to Become an Astronaut – STEM in 30”:
—Adjusting to different gravities. Due to the different masses, speeds, and distances, every object in space experiences a different gravity. Thus, outer space martial artists would need to adjust their techniques according to the gravity of the planet on which the technique is performed. The same technique will have different results on different planets, due to their different gravities.
MetaBallStudios video “🪐 JUMP on other PLANETS 🡆 3D Comparison”:
—Adjusting to the fundamental forces. Besides gravity, the other fundamental forces like electromagnetism, weak force, and strong force, as experienced in outer space would also need to be considered by outer space martial artists. New martial techniques that can benefit from these forces need to be developed exclusively for outer space martial artists.
Weapon-based outer space martial arts
Apart from the empty-handed outer space martial arts, there can also be weapon-based outer space martial arts.
Documentary Central video “The Weaponization of Space: The Next Arms Race | Future Warfare | Documentary Central”:
—Laser weapons. In science fiction, outer space weapons are normally laser weapons. Generally, science fiction has a high possibility of becoming reality, and laser beams are now a reality. A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. Lasers can be used as outer space weapons.
PhysicsHigh video “How lasers work – a thorough explanation”:
Spacedock video “Advanced Laser Weapons in Realistic Space Combat”:
Hyperspeed video “America’s NEW Space Laser Weapon Just Shocked The World!”:
—Kinetic energy weapon. As of now, kinetic energy weapons are in theory. A kinetic bombardment or a kinetic orbital strike is the hypothetical act of attacking a planetary surface with an inert kinetic projectile from orbit, where the destructive power comes from the kinetic energy of the projectile impacting at very high speeds. Typical depictions of the tactic are of a satellite containing a magazine of tungsten rods and a directional thrust system. When a strike is ordered, the launch vehicle ejects one of the rods out of its orbit and into a suborbital trajectory that intersects the target. The rods would typically be shaped to minimize air resistance and thus maximize velocity upon impact. The kinetic bombardment has the advantage of being able to deliver projectiles from a very high angle at a very high speed, making them extremely difficult to defend against. In addition, projectiles would not require explosive warheads. Disadvantages include the technical difficulties of ensuring accuracy and the high costs of positioning ammunition in orbit.
The Space Race video “The US Military’s Secret Space Weapon”:
Veritasium video “Testing the US Military’s Worst Idea”:
—Hypersonic weapons. These weapons travel five or more times than the speed of sound and have the potential to be launched from land or outer space.
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (CACNP) video “5 Things to Know About Ballistic, Cruise and Hypersonic Missiles”:
AiTelly video “How Hypersonic Missile Works?”:
Front Cost video “Russia Shocked: US Tests MOST DANGEROUS Space Hypersonic Weapon”:
Missile Defense Agency video “Ballistic Missile Intercept Successfully Conducted from Guam (Flight Experiment Mission-02)”:
—Nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapon is another type of weapon that has the possibility of being used in outer space.
The Wall Street Journal video “Russian Nuclear Weapons in Space? Here’s What We Know. | WSJ”:
Sky News video “Explained: Is Russia building a nuclear, space-based, satellite killer?”:
—Satellite weapons. Thousands of satellites are travelling at a very high speed around the earth, and they are increasing every year. The swarms of satellites orbiting the earth would be desirable targets in an outer space war, as they can be used to launch outer space weapons, or simply be used as a Kamikaze (Japanese suicidal planes of WWII) to crash into enemy satellites. If any satellite is struck, accidentally or intentionally, then the debris of that satellite would cause damage to hundreds of other nearby satellites also. Hence, targeting satellites would result in losses for both the attacker and the defender.
Insider Tech video “What Elon Musk’s 42,000 Satellites Could Do To Earth”:
Technality video “Satellite Wars: The Weaponization Of Space Is Here”:
Wendover Productions video “The Increasing Reality of War in Space”:
NewsNation video “Pentagon warns of Russian anti-satellite weapon | Morning in America”:
Interesting Engineering video “How Will War in Space Look Like?”:
—Warfare tactics. Planning of warfare is generally done before a war has begun. However, the paradox of planning is that while planning is useful, the plans that it produces are useless. Usually plans do not work as the circumstances of war goes on changing constantly, and all plans need to be modified or altered. Plans that worked in the past might provide some guidance for plans in the future, but since no war has yet been undertaken in outer space, as of now, all planning, tactics and strategies of outer space warfare are merely theoretical.
Isaac Arthur video “Space Warfare”:
Be Smart video “The Physics of Space Battles”:
The Templin Institute video “Five Space Warfare Tactics That Make No Sense”:
Conclusion
Outer space presents a different environment and poses different challenges. Thus, the conventional techniques of martial arts as known on earth, would not work in outer space. Perhaps, newer kinds of martial arts that are effective in outer space may be invented, as humanity goes on traversing new frontiers in space science and technology. However, the aim of outer space martial arts should always be peace and not war.
Chris Wronka video “Star Wars: A Vergence in the Force [Episodes I-III Fanedit]”:
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