Talk:Space Pen
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[edit] Writes on glass
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?
The term 'ultra-hard' sounds more like advertising than useful des--holizz 17:04, 26 January 2007 (UTC)cription. Was this article written to advertise the product? How hard is it?
-> Generally most manufacturers of ballpoint refills use tungsten carbide for the ball - so that's nothing special about this pen.
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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). ".
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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?
[edit] 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)
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- 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).
[edit] 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)
[edit] "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.
[edit] 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)
