Talk:Space Pen

Writes on glass

The term 'ultra-hard' sounds more like advertising than useful description. Was this article written to advertise the product? How hard is it?— Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.123.69.214 (talk • contribs) 2005-06-24T04:43:22

According to the article: Can write on surfaces such as plastic or glass.

Mine sure doesn't write on glass...so is this inaccurate, or am I just not good at writing on glass?— Preceding unsigned comment added by Thebreeze (talk • contribs) 2006-06-03T08:35:23

-> Generally most manufacturers of ballpoint refills use tungsten carbide for the ball - so that's nothing special about this pen.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.224.18.140 (talk • contribs) 2006-09-01T16:51:33

Unique design?

The design of the "bullet" space pen isn't all that unique -- or did the Fisher bullet come before the Eversharp Kimberly Pockette? See http://www.decodog.com/inven/stars/st25596.jpg to get an idea of the Kimberly's design. -- Flexiblefine 16:01, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

The lines of the bullet space pen when closed and expanded are near perfect, everything fits together perfectly, and the design is simple and elegant. That is probably why it recieves so much praise. it is like the ipod of pens.--Geedubber 06:33, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

How is this cheaper?

The article says:

The thixotropic ink in the hermetically sealed and pressurised reservoir is claimed to write for three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen. The pen can usually write up to 12,500 feet. This makes the space pen cheaper.

I don't understand what relevance the "cheaper" comment has. Sounds like more marketing to me.

Also, it says:

The gas is pressurised at nearly 50 pounds per square inch (340 kPa). This is because the ink is forced out by nitrogen gas.

Was this translated? I would write:

The ink is forced out by nitrogen gas pressurized at nearly 50 pounds per square inch (340kPa).

KeithC 22:02, 14 March 2006 (UTC)

I think the author was referring to the x3 lifespan. Fixed. --David Youngberg 23:23, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Now the article says: "at a pressure of nearly 35 pounds per square inch (340 kPa). ". It appears that the Imperial and SI units are inconsistent - the former is in gauge pressure and the SI is in absolute. Suggest that this is changed to "at a pressure of nearly 35 pounds per square inch above atmospheric (240 kPa). ".— Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.140.211.130 (talk • contribs) 2007-08-15T17:00:43

Long Life Span?

I believe the 100 year shelf life refers only to the pen, and that the ink does deteriorate over time.--24.128.150.180 20:13, 1 April 2006 (UTC)

Most of the Fisher Space Pen line is constructed of metal which, under normal circumstances (e.g., left on a shelf) would last for hundreds of years. In fact, the 100 year shelf life refers not to the pen, but to the stability and usability of the ink. This is an estimate based on tests and the chemical composition of the ink, as the formula has been around only since the 1960s.Viscoelasticman (talk) 14:16, 3 July 2008 (UTC)

Manufacturers

Nowadays there's not only Fisher manufacturing such pens since patents must have expired after more than 40 years.

See http://www.diplomat-pen.de/en/spacetec.aspx for a series of biros using pressurized refills - most models with the same cartridge type as Fisher's. Diplomat is also selling refills.

See also http://www.schmidt-feintechnik.de for their 'MegaLine' gas pressurized refills fitting both Fisher Space pen and Diplomat Spacetec models.

Parker pens have been pressurized for many years, but the ink is different. The Space Pen is the only ball-point pen I know of that will write on plastic. Fisher makes "Space Pen" refills for Parker and Cross pens.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.224.18.140 (talk • contribs) 2006-09-01T16:47:42

Man of The Year

I think this was also referenced in the featured film "Man of The Year" 67.162.4.137 02:44, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Spoiler

The reference to Diane Duane's book appears to contain a spoiler. However, the usual poiler warning feature Wikipedia:Spoiler_warning seems a bit large to apply to a single sentence. Any ideas for a smaller one?— Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.210.182.194 (talk • contribs) 2007-01-05T04:13:15

Pure oxygen atmosphere

[…] and the high flammability of both the graphite and wood present in pencils (especially in a pure oxygen atmosphere).

I am under the impression that breathing only oxygen would be fatal. Am I mistaken or is there some facet of space travel from the point of view of writing materials with which I am not familiar? --holizz 17:04, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

It has to do with the pressure as well as the percentage of oxygen content. Prior to the Shuttle, US spacecraft were pressurized at around 5 PSI at 100% oxygen, in contrast to sea level being 14 PSI and around 19 to 20% oxygen. But I don't understand the specifics. --EarthPerson 17:18, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Breathing pure oxygen can be fatal but only if the Partial pressure is high enough. This is called Oxygen toxicity and is usually ascociated with SCUBA diving. At low pressures an elevated percentage of oxygen is nescessary to maintain the partial pressure and prevent loss of conciousness. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Raceway (talk • contribs) 21:48, 8 February 2007 (UTC).

POV Statement

Removed the following POV statement from the article:

When I was deployed to Iraq and wrote Fisher. I have used their pen for years. I told them how much I loved their pen and was pleased the way it handled the heat. They in turn sent me 40 plus pens for me and the soldiers in my platoon. Thank you for supporting the troops. Matt 16:00, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

"Controversy" Section

I'd like to suggest that the "Controvesy" section be removed. It provides no new information to the article and covers no controversy specific to the subject of the article. The "Uses in the U.S. and Russian space programs" section covers any similar information in a better manner.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.85.51.33 (talk • contribs) 2007-07-27T21:16:29

Oral History?

My uncle (my father's brother) worked for NASA in the '60s on the Apollo missions as an engineer. He is a very literal, scientific-minded person, not known to spin tall tales or exaggerate. In fact, he is, like many engineers, obsessed with precision.

I once interviewed him on audio tape about his work for NASA, and he claimed to have helped to develop this pen with other NASA scientists, and he explained to me how the pen worked (much as this article explains it), and how he and other NASA scientists had to work with various alloys to make sure that the pen's components did not give off combustible or poisonous gases, and to make sure that the pen met meticulous weight requirements (since every ounce mattered when the Saturn V rocket was sitting on the launch pad).

I know this is not good historical "proof," but, if taken for what it is (oral history), is it possible or probable that there is some truth to his story, and that the pen's development is more complicated than the entry currently conveys (i.e., is it possible or probable that NASA itself was more involved in the pen's invention, and that it was not largely invented by Fischer alone)?

Also, my uncle told me that a primary reason pencils could not be used in space was because in the dry artificial environment of the pressurized capsule, the pencil's graphite would turn to powder. --Skb8721 03:43, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Urban legend

This urban legend lives on because it reinforces the negative stereotypes people have about bureaucracy, and in particular about NASA - that they are a bunch of geeks wasting taxpayer money trying to re-invent the wheel. The dollar amount seems to always be 12 but alternates between Million and Billion dollars spent. Always laugh when I see the 12 Billion figure, since NASAs entire budget from 1958 to 1964 was less than 12 billion dollars. Ralphman01 (talk) 14:44, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

While the number of dollars supposedly spent on this pen fluctuate and it can be said NASA never approched Mr. Fisher to develop the pen or pay for the development cost, it is still unkown what NASA eventually paid for the pens per unit. Some still remain sceptical wondering if development cost were simply added on to the cost of the pen. Until the per unit cost that was paid by NASA for the pen is made known it can not be entirely ruled out that development fees may have been simply masked in the form of an abnormally large per unit fee as some skeptics still profess. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.208.178.8 (talk) 19:55, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

Scrubs Reference

Removed. The pen used to write on JD's forehead was actually a permanent marker. It's stated explicitly. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.152.223.50 (talk) 20:30, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

how is the space pen used in space

how was the space pen used in space —Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.78.8.86 (talk) 07:48, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

Image

That isn't a space pen in the image. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Leighther (talk • contribs) 11:13, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

Ordinary ball point pens work in space

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/duque_soyuz_diary.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by Leighther (talk • contribs) 11:21, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

History of the Space pen

while linking to the space pen website is sufficient to give a history of the pen it would be nice if the page had a history that listed dates and events for the space pen.

For example 1965 - Patent # 3,285,228: Anti-Gravity Pen The original AG7 Anti-Gravity pen was developed by Paul Fisher. 1968 - Fisher Space Pen used on Apollo 7 after two years of testing by NASA.

While some of these dates are mentioned in the popular culture section, a separate section for history would give a better linear view of the pens history. Ccbische (talk) 18:32, 25 November 2009 (UTC)

Austrian co-inventors?

On the German space pen page it is claimed that the mechanics and the overall concept of the space pen were invented by Austrian Engineers Friedrich Schächter and Erwin Rath. The reciepe for the special ink would have been provided by Paul C. Fisher. Why is'nt that on the English page? Is it not true, or...? Thanks and I love wikipedia —Preceding unsigned comment added by 46.220.24.206 (talk) 20:26, 26 April 2011 (UTC)

Please add...

Schmidt European manufacturer of pen refills and components also have pressurised refills "Megaline". P950 pressurised refill in G2 'Parker-style' format - converts a huge range of pens into 'space pens'. Fits a huge range of pens, including Parker, Rotring, Pelikan, Faber-Castell. The 4889 refills it's for Fisher Space Pens. The 620 refills is 'D1' format and fits a huge range of compact, pocket and multifunction pens. Please note this other brand have pressurised pens like: Uni of Japan, Tombow of Japan, Diplomat of Germany — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.25.197.197 (talk) 14:55, 29 July 2011 (UTC)

Pressure does not a space pen make

Other pens are made of plastic and other materials, and therefore are not reliable at extreme cold or hot temperatures, even if the refill happens to be pressurized. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.106.184.154 (talk) 13:49, 17 April 2016 (UTC)

Is the $6 price correct?

The current reference says "In 1967, after rigorous tests, NASA managers agreed to equip the Apollo astronauts with these pens. Media reports indicate that approximately 400 pens were purchased from Fisher at $6 per unit for Project Apollo."

This Snopes article, however, quotes a statement directly from the manufacturer (Fisher) saying this: "In December 1967 he sold 400 Fisher Space Pens to NASA for $2.95 each."

Snopes appears to have a more reliable source than the NASA article, but I'd like to discuss before making a change. --2Mars4$2Billion (talk) 19:10, 11 July 2014 (UTC)

The (linked as source) original purchase order also quotes a price of $2.95 2A01:CB14:9AA:9C00:6E4B:90FF:FE0C:91A6 (talk) 18:36, 27 January 2023 (UTC)

Russian

The Russians didn't need any of this. They just used pencils. 24.51.217.118 (talk) 21:39, 3 July 2015 (UTC)

Correct, but they got rid of normal pencils, partly because graphite is electrically conductive. Tips break off and could cause electrical short circuits. They issued wax pencils instead, but discovered that the wax was easily smudged. At that point, they ditched the wax pencils and bought the Fisher Space Pen. 91.1.209.19 (talk) 09:17, 22 September 2023 (UTC)

Maximum altitude

The page says "The pen can write at altitudes up to 12,500 feet (3800 m)."??? And this is the pen that was used on the Moon, outside the module, in vacuum.

I wonder what possibly could be a reason for not working higher up? I have never heard about writing problems even with regular ball-point pens at altitudes (except, of course for the cold), so an explanation here is welcome. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.106.184.154 (talk) 13:43, 17 April 2016 (UTC)

This was mistakenly introduced to the page back in March 2006. The ink longevity spec (over 12,500 feet in distance) was changed to a max altitude. There's no such altitude limitation shown anywhere on the space pen site. Eradicator (talk) 18:07, 15 April 2022 (UTC)

Best TC Balls

Resepcetd team can anyone of you all let me know the best TC Balls which can be used for pen tips manufacturing. Also let me know if any TC ball can help me with antifiber intake issue.

Thanks in advance. 120.72.89.130 (talk) 06:41, 28 December 2022 (UTC)

3 Idiots

In the movie 3 Idiots, the dean of an engineering college has a Space Pen which, in the end, he gives to an especially talented student. —Tamfang (talk) 23:15, 31 March 2024 (UTC)