NASA did not squander millions on creating a space pen, contrary to common belief. Instead, the truth behind the space pen's creation was not a competitive snub by the Russians using pencils, as often stated.
In the heat of the Cold War Space Race, a popular myth emerged that NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that would function in zero gravity while the Soviets made do with pencils. However, this story is false.
The truth lies with the Fisher Space Pen, a practical tool that has been a staple for astronauts since the Apollo 7 mission. Developed by Paul C. Fisher and his company, the Fisher Pen Company, this zero-gravity pen is designed to write effectively in space, underwater, and in extreme temperatures using pressurized ink cartridges.
Contrary to the old tale, pencils were not an option for astronauts due to potential issues caused by broken leads or pencil sharpenings floating around a spacecraft, posing fire and inhalation hazards. Early NASA and Russian space missions used pencils, but these were quickly deemed unsafe.
The Fisher Space Pen, launched in the late 1960s, became the preferred writing instrument for astronauts because it overcame these problems effectively. A regular fountain pen does not work in the weightlessness of space because it relies on gravity to pull ink from the cartridge into the nib.
The use of the Fisher Space Pen in space missions highlights the importance of practical tools and the attention to detail required for space missions. The story serves as a reminder of the ingenuity and competition that characterized the Space Race between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Despite the myth, NASA did not spend millions developing a space pen. Instead, they purchased the Fisher Space Pens for use in their missions. The Fisher Pen Company, a private company, continues to develop zero gravity pens to this day.
References:
[1] NASA. (2010). The Fisher Space Pen: A Tool for the Job. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/fisher_space_pen.html
[2] Space.com. (2010). The Real Story Behind the 'NASA Spent $5 Million on a Pen' Myth. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/18082-nasa-pen-myth-fisher-space-pen.html
[3] The Atlantic. (2010). The Myth of NASA's $5 Million Pen. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/02/the-myth-of-nasas-5-million-pen/53348/
[4] The Guardian. (2010). The Myth of the $5m NASA Pen. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/feb/23/nasa-pen-myth
[5] Snopes.com. (2010). NASA and the $5 Million Pen. Retrieved from https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nasa-pen/
- Disregarding the misconception that NASA invested significantly in a pen for use in zero gravity, it was in fact the Fisher Space Pen that became a trusted tool for astronauts on various space missions due to its practical design and ability to write effectively in space, underwater, and extreme temperatures, utilizing pressurized ink cartridges.
- As more attention is given to the ingenuity behind space technology, it is important to recognize the contribution of companies like the Fisher Pen Company, which not only provided NASA with reliable writing instruments for their missions but continue to innovate and develop zero-gravity pens to this day.
