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The NASA space pen story as you call it is a nice quip. It's also a complete lie. The Soviets using pencils wasn't a clever scrappy solution, it was an absolute
by Etheryte 2y ago
The NASA space pen story as you call it is a nice quip. It's also a complete lie. The Soviets using pencils wasn't a clever scrappy solution, it was an absolute nightmare for the Soviets. Pencil cores are made of graphite, when you write with it, small bits of graphite break off. On land it just falls down, but in space it floats around and attaches to things. Graphite conducts electricity and it caused countless shorts in electronics, as well as fires, all while in space. If the Soviets had space pens, they would've switched to those in a heartbeat.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago> Soviets using pencils wasn't a clever scrappy solution, it was an absolute nightmare for the Soviets Note, too, that NASA didn't pay to develop the pen. Fisher did. > If the Soviets had space pens, they would've switched to those in a heartbeat Guess what cosmonauts use(d) on the ISS? (Qualified because I don't know post-2022.)
- gpderetta 2y ago> Guess what cosmonauts use(d) on the ISS? (Qualified because I don't know post-2022.) I genuinely don't know. Do they use pencils still or switched to the space pen?
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- Etheryte 2y agoThe Soviets bought space pens from Fisher in 1969 [0] and have continued to use them ever since. [0] https://www.reuters.com/article/fact-check/nasa-did-not-spend-billions-on-space-pens-while-russia-used-pencils-idUSL1N2MQ1RR/ https://www.reuters.com/article/fact-check/nasa-did-not-spen...
- mulmen 2y agoWhy the pop quiz? You’re not my professor, or even my TA. Just say what you mean.