Pens in space

Have you ever wondered how one writes in zero gravity?
Well two nations involved in the exploration of the final frontier had to solve that problem many years ago. Each took a different path.

John Williams, VK2BUI, tells the way it all worked out:

When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million.

They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.

And what did the Russians do...??
They used a pencil.

John, VK2BUI

The bottom line. For many years we have all been able to buy pens like this. Lots of people have them, but few get to use them in-orbit or in deep space. (WIA News)

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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