Yes, even astronauts’ ballpoint pens are special. Quite interesting, isn’t it?

Agree Why were special ballpoint pens developed for use in space?

Pencils were used in NASA’s first space missions.

Due to the fact that graphite is a highly flammable substance and graphite dust breaks easily, there is a risk of damaging the electronic systems in spacecraft in a weightless environment. Instead of pencils, ballpoint pens suitable for use in a weightless environment are used. It was first developed by American entrepreneur Paul C. Fisher.

These pens have a pressurized ink cartridge; in weightless environments, underwater and It can be used in a wide temperature range, such as about -50 to 200℃.

These items include a system consisting of a pressurized gas and a movable float.

The float separates the gas and the ink. Compressed gas also pushes the ink, allowing the ink to reach the tip of the pen..

Furthermore, because the force exerted by the pressurized gas does not depend on the orientation of the pin, these pins can It is possible to write by holding the pen at any angle. Again, these pens use ink that changes fluidity depending on the tension applied to it.

Pens can be used thanks to the ink that liquefies when needed. It can be used longer without leakage.

In short: ink in a weightless environment Because it does not flow by itself, special pens have been developed that can be used in space.

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