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A traditional ballpoint or fountain pen relies upon gravity; try writing on a piece of paper with the pen upside down for a while, and it will cease to function.
Similarly, if you attempt to use a conventional pen in a low/zero gravity environment there is nothing to direct the flow of ink 'downwards' through the nib or ballpoint, so the ink will eventually stop flowing.
The lack of gravity is a greater concern for astronauts who wish to keep a diary than the hostile environment of space. Extreme temperatures and the vacuum of space are not the main issues likely to affect an astronaut floating around in his insulated, oxygenated tin can. If they did become issues, it is unlikely that he/she would stop to write about it anyway, as imminent death has presumably higher priority than ink flow.
However, that didn't stop NASA courting some controversy over the use of some very expensive pencil holders designed for use by suited astronauts with bulky gloves.
The issue of a space pen has been the subject of legends that go something like this:
Back in the 60's, as the space race was gearing up, NASA was faced with developing a method of writing in zero gravity and/or the vacuum of space; the 'astronaut pen' was developed at a final cost of about $1,500,000.
Russia's space agency was faced with precisely the same problem; they used pencils.
Of course, this is completely false, and probably attributable to some clever marketing by the Fisher Space Pen Company.
Pressurised ink cartridges are used in the Fisher 'Space Pen'. It is claimed that it can write in zero gravity, under water, upon wet or greasy surfaces, and at extreme temperatures... so it's exactly what you need should you have to write an SOS note during the explosive decompression of your space capsule!
What else can I help you with?
Is the moon located in outer space?
That depends on what you mean by "outer space". The moon is outside the Earth's atmosphere and therfore "in space" but it is orbiting the Earth and therfore hardly "outer".
When was They Came from Outer Space created?
They Came from Outer Space was created on 1990-10-01.
When was Flying Saucers from Outer Space created?
Flying Saucers from Outer Space was created in 1953.
How is volume and outer space related?
No, they are properties of matter. Outer space has the properties it has because it has little to no matter.
What is another name for outer space?
Interstellar space.
Can a pencil write in outerspace upside down?
Of course a pencil can write in outer space and upside down. Trying writing upside down now and see for yourself. A pen on the other hand may give you problems.
Can you write on a paper with pencil before you stain it with tea?
Yes. The Russians do this in space.
What kind of poem does a poet write outer space?
Uni-verse
Why can't a pencil be used in outer space?
A pencil can be used in outer space, but traditional wooden pencils are not ideal for writing in space due to the lack of gravity. The graphite tip can break off and float around, potentially getting in astronauts' eyes or equipment. Instead, astronauts often use special mechanical pencils or pens that work in microgravity.
What is a word for a space?
outer (as in "outer space")
How do you write in present tense we write?
we to write in pencil
Which last longer colored pencil or regular pencil?
It depends on how long the pencil is, how much you write, and if the pencil breaks a lot or not. If it's a long pencil, it'll last a while unless you write a lot or it breaks.
What is the opposite of outer space?
There is no antonym for outer space.
What is a word for space preceder?
outer (as in "outer space")
How they get the satellite into outer space?
they built it in outer space
Why should Gary write the labels on paper in pencil why should he not write in ink?
With pencil you can erase, not with pen.
What kind of pen writes in space?
Good Question Well ......... There is a vaccuum-cartridge pen that will write in space. There is also a device known as a "pencil." :)
