NASA did not squander millions on inventing a space pen, contrary to popular belief. The truth is, the Russians used pencils in space, not the space pen that NASA is falsely accused of unnecessarily developing.
In the realm of space exploration, myths and misconceptions often abound. One such tale is the belief that NASA spent millions of dollars during the Cold War Space Race to develop a special pen for use in zero gravity. This myth, however, is far from the truth.
Contrary to popular belief, the Fisher Space Pen was not developed by NASA. Instead, it was the brainchild of inventor Paul C. Fisher, who funded its development independently. The pen's unique design, which uses a pressurized ink cartridge to write in zero gravity, underwater, and in extreme temperatures, caught the attention of NASA and other space agencies, who began purchasing it after its successful testing in space and harsh environments[1][2].
The Fisher Pen Company, a private company, was responsible for the development of this remarkable writing instrument. It is still in use today on the International Space Station, having first been used during Apollo 7[3].
Another misconception surrounds the Soviet space programme. It is often said that their astronauts used pencils during the same period, but this too is partially inaccurate. Both sides used both pens and pencils, depending on the mission requirements[2][3].
Normal fountain pens are not suitable for use in space due to the need for gravity to pull ink from the cartridge. Pencils, on the other hand, were not an ideal option due to potential issues with broken leads and floating sharpenings.
It is essential to separate fact from fiction when discussing the history of space exploration. The story of NASA spending an exorbitant sum developing a space pen is a long-standing urban legend rather than fact. Claims by concerned US taxpayers that their hard-earned dollars were wasted on a pointless NASA project regarding a space pen are unfounded.
References:
[1] Fisher Space Pen. (2010). The Fisher Space Pen: A History. Retrieved from https://www.fisherspacepen.com/history
[2] National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). Space Pen. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/nasm/airlock/spacepen.html
[3] Space.com. (2010). The Truth About NASA's Space Pen. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/1899-truth-about-nasas-space-pen.html
Astronauts during the Space Race relied on the Fisher Space Pen, developed by Paul C. Fisher, rather than a special one created by NASA. Consequently, both American and Soviet astronauts utilized both pens and pencils, depending on the mission's specific requirements.
