The Space Pen (also known as the Zero Gravity Pen), marketed by Fisher Space Pen Company, is a pen that uses pressurized ink cartridges and is able to write in zero gravity, underwater, over wet and greasy paper, at any angle, and in a very wide range of temperatures.
An AG-7 Astronaut Space Pen in presentation case.
Astronaut Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 lunar module pilot, writes with space pen as he is photographed performing flight tasks on the ninth day of the Apollo 7 mission.
Close up of Fisher Space Pen body showing knurlings with removed refill adjacent
Fisher Space refill at bottom compared to similar Parker-standard and generic (non branded) Parker type at top
The Fisher Space Pen was created by Austrian Friedrich Schächter and expanded by Erwin Rath. Paul C. Fisher invented the "thixotropic special ink". The pens were manufactured in Boulder City, Nevada. Paul C. Fisher first patented the AG7 "anti-gravity" pen in 1965.
Models
There are two prominent styles of the pen: the AG7 "Astronaut pen", a long thin retractable pen shaped like a common ballpoint, and the "Bullet pen" which is non-retractable, shorter than standard ballpoints when capped, but full size when the cap is posted on the rear for writing.
Several of the Fisher Space Pen models (the "Millennium" is one) are claimed to write for a lifetime of "average" use; however, the product literature states that the pen will write exactly 30.7 miles (49.4 km). In contrast, the standard PR (Pressurized Refill) cartridge is rated to write over 12,000 feet (3,700 m).
Standard Space Pen refills can be used in any pen able to take a standard Parker-type ballpoint refill, using the small plastic adapter that is supplied with each refill. Fisher also makes a Space Pen-type refill that fits Cross pens, one that fits 1950s-style Papermate pens (or any pen that uses that type of refill), and a "universal" refill that fits some other ballpoint pens.
Technology
The ballpoint is made from tungsten carbide and is precisely fitted in order to avoid leaks. A sliding float separates the ink from the pressurized gas. The thixotropic visco-elastic ink in the hermetically sealed and pressurized reservoir is able to write for three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen. The ink is forced out by compressed nitrogen at a pressure of nearly 45 psi (310 kPa). Operating temperatures range from −30 to 250 °F (−34 to 121 °C). The pen can write without the help of gravity, at any angle. The pen has an estimated shelf life of 100 years.
One of the first Space Pen patents is US3285228, which was filed on 19 May 1965.[1]
An urban legend states that NASA spent a large amount of money to develop a pen that would write in space (the result purportedly being the Fisher Space Pen), while the Soviets just used pencils.[2][3] In reality, NASA began to develop a space pen, but when development costs skyrocketed the project was abandoned and astronauts went back to using pencils, along with the Soviets.[2][3] However, the claim that NASA spent millions on the Space Pen is incorrect, as the Fisher pen was developed using private capital, not government funding. The development of the thixotropic ink cost Paul Fisher around $1 million (equivalent to $8.6 million in 2021).[4] NASA – and the Soviets[3][5][6] – eventually began purchasing such pens.
NASA programs previously used pencils[7] (for example a 1965 order of mechanical pencils[8]) but because of the substantial dangers that broken pencil tips and graphite dust pose to electronics in zero gravity, the flammable nature of wood present in pencils,[8] and the inadequate quality documentation produced by non-permanent or smeared recordkeeping, a better solution was needed. Russian cosmonauts used pencils, and grease pencils on plastic slates until also adopting a space pen in 1969 with a purchase of 100 units for use on all future missions.[9] NASA never approached Paul Fisher to develop a pen, nor did Fisher receive any government funding for the pen's development.[8] Fisher invented it independently and then, in 1965, asked NASA to try it. After extensive testing, NASA decided to use the pens in future Apollo missions.[7][9][10] Subsequently, in 1967 it was reported that NASA purchased approximately 400 pens for $2.95 apiece (equivalent to $24 each in 2021).[9][11]
^Sakpal, Nilesh J Space pen | Zero gravity pen | Astronaut's pen AG7 - Fisher Space Pen Co.
^ ab. physics.org. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
^ abc"The Write Stuff". 22 August 2000. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^Olson, Nancy (10 June 2020). "Fisher Space Pens Take Flight". Forbes.
^. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^ ab"Here's a little history about the Fisher Space Pen Company". Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^ abcCiara Curtin (2006-12-20). "Fact or Fiction?: NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space, whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil". Scientific American.
^ abcSteve Garber (2010-05-28). "The Fisher Space Pen". NASA History Division.
^. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^You can see the original 1967 purchase order between NASA and Fisher Space Pen "here".
^"Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 Lunar Module Flown Fisher AG-7 Space Pen... (Total: 1 Items) Transportation: Space Exploration". Historical.ha.com. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
Did Biros really revolutionise writing BBC News 2006-11-23
NASA Specification for writing instruments 1973-06
Nasa History
"Pen Name: Having perfected the ball-point, Paul Fisher wrote a plan to save the world" 2009-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, by Anthony DeBartolo, Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine, 1991
space, also, known, zero, gravity, marketed, fisher, company, that, uses, pressurized, cartridges, able, write, zero, gravity, underwater, over, greasy, paper, angle, very, wide, range, temperatures, astronaut, presentation, case, astronaut, walter, cunningham. The Space Pen also known as the Zero Gravity Pen marketed by Fisher Space Pen Company is a pen that uses pressurized ink cartridges and is able to write in zero gravity underwater over wet and greasy paper at any angle and in a very wide range of temperatures An AG 7 Astronaut Space Pen in presentation case Astronaut Walter Cunningham Apollo 7 lunar module pilot writes with space pen as he is photographed performing flight tasks on the ninth day of the Apollo 7 mission Close up of Fisher Space Pen body showing knurlings with removed refill adjacentFisher Space refill at bottom compared to similar Parker standard and generic non branded Parker type at top Contents 1 Inventors 2 Models 3 Technology 4 Uses in the U S and Russian space programs 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksInventors EditThe Fisher Space Pen was created by Austrian Friedrich Schachter and expanded by Erwin Rath Paul C Fisher invented the thixotropic special ink The pens were manufactured in Boulder City Nevada Paul C Fisher first patented the AG7 anti gravity pen in 1965 Models EditThere are two prominent styles of the pen the AG7 Astronaut pen a long thin retractable pen shaped like a common ballpoint and the Bullet pen which is non retractable shorter than standard ballpoints when capped but full size when the cap is posted on the rear for writing Several of the Fisher Space Pen models the Millennium is one are claimed to write for a lifetime of average use however the product literature states that the pen will write exactly 30 7 miles 49 4 km In contrast the standard PR Pressurized Refill cartridge is rated to write over 12 000 feet 3 700 m Standard Space Pen refills can be used in any pen able to take a standard Parker type ballpoint refill using the small plastic adapter that is supplied with each refill Fisher also makes a Space Pen type refill that fits Cross pens one that fits 1950s style Papermate pens or any pen that uses that type of refill and a universal refill that fits some other ballpoint pens Technology EditThe ballpoint is made from tungsten carbide and is precisely fitted in order to avoid leaks A sliding float separates the ink from the pressurized gas The thixotropic visco elastic ink in the hermetically sealed and pressurized reservoir is able to write for three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen The ink is forced out by compressed nitrogen at a pressure of nearly 45 psi 310 kPa Operating temperatures range from 30 to 250 F 34 to 121 C The pen can write without the help of gravity at any angle The pen has an estimated shelf life of 100 years One of the first Space Pen patents is US3285228 which was filed on 19 May 1965 1 Uses in the U S and Russian space programs EditMain article Writing in space An urban legend states that NASA spent a large amount of money to develop a pen that would write in space the result purportedly being the Fisher Space Pen while the Soviets just used pencils 2 3 In reality NASA began to develop a space pen but when development costs skyrocketed the project was abandoned and astronauts went back to using pencils along with the Soviets 2 3 However the claim that NASA spent millions on the Space Pen is incorrect as the Fisher pen was developed using private capital not government funding The development of the thixotropic ink cost Paul Fisher around 1 million equivalent to 8 6 million in 2021 4 NASA and the Soviets 3 5 6 eventually began purchasing such pens NASA programs previously used pencils 7 for example a 1965 order of mechanical pencils 8 but because of the substantial dangers that broken pencil tips and graphite dust pose to electronics in zero gravity the flammable nature of wood present in pencils 8 and the inadequate quality documentation produced by non permanent or smeared recordkeeping a better solution was needed Russian cosmonauts used pencils and grease pencils on plastic slates until also adopting a space pen in 1969 with a purchase of 100 units for use on all future missions 9 NASA never approached Paul Fisher to develop a pen nor did Fisher receive any government funding for the pen s development 8 Fisher invented it independently and then in 1965 asked NASA to try it After extensive testing NASA decided to use the pens in future Apollo missions 7 9 10 Subsequently in 1967 it was reported that NASA purchased approximately 400 pens for 2 95 apiece equivalent to 24 each in 2021 9 11 In 2008 Gene Cernan s Apollo 17 flown space pen sold in a Heritage auction for US 23 900 12 See also EditList of pen types brands and companiesReferences Edit Sakpal Nilesh J Space pen Zero gravity pen Astronaut s pen AG7 Fisher Space Pen Co a b Is it true that NASA spent thousands of dollars developing a space pen whereas the Russians just took a pencil physics org Archived from the original on 28 January 2013 Retrieved 2 November 2012 a b c The Write Stuff 22 August 2000 Retrieved September 23 2013 Olson Nancy 10 June 2020 Fisher Space Pens Take Flight Forbes And Today MIR Cosmonauts Use Fisher Space Pens For Their Writing Needs Archived from the original on October 30 2014 Retrieved September 23 2013 Just the FAQ Ma am Archived from the original on October 4 2013 Retrieved September 23 2013 a b Here s a little history about the Fisher Space Pen Company Retrieved September 23 2013 a b c Ciara Curtin 2006 12 20 Fact or Fiction NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil Scientific American a b c Steve Garber 2010 05 28 The Fisher Space Pen NASA History Division The Story Behind the Fisher Space Pen Archived from the original on October 30 2014 Retrieved September 23 2013 You can see the original 1967 purchase order between NASA and Fisher Space Pen here Gene Cernan s Apollo 17 Lunar Module Flown Fisher AG 7 Space Pen Total 1 Items Transportation Space Exploration Historical ha com 2008 03 24 Retrieved 2010 09 14 External links EditFisher Space Pen Co The Billion Dollar Space Pen Legend debunked Urban Legends Reference Pages Did Biros really revolutionise writing BBC News 2006 11 23 NASA Specification for writing instruments 1973 06 Nasa History Pen Name Having perfected the ball point Paul Fisher wrote a plan to save the world Archived 2009 03 13 at the Wayback Machine by Anthony DeBartolo Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine 1991 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Space Pen amp oldid 1124117525, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
