Normal pens usually have ink within them. In order for the pen to write, the ink will flow down due to gravity and go on to the pen. This is why when the pen is used to write upside down, it does not happen properly. So in space where there is no gravity it would be difficult for the ink to flow down.
To combat this on early missions to combat this problem, pencils were used by both the russians and the americans. Usually the americans used mechanical pencils. But both mechanical pencils and normal pencils presented hazards. As anyone who has used a pencil would know that many times when the tip breaks, the broken piece is difficult to collect. These broken tips along with micro pieces broken from the pen could easily float in scape. These pieces could easily get into machinery and other compinotos, even the astronauts eyes. This would pose a significant problem for the equipment as it can damage the circuits.
The russian's were aware of this problem and used grease pencils which did not have the problem as a normal pencil. But to access more of the writing parts, astroumounts had to peel back the wax. But this created a similar problem with the paper floating in the air. Also astronauts complained that it was imprecise and smudgy.
To solve this problem a space pen was created.What the pen does is it has pressurised nitrogen which forces the ink to flow down the tube. This allows the pen to be used anywhere, even underwater. The ink and the nitrogen are separated by a floating barrier.
The ink itself is a very viscous consistency, almost like a solid. This is to prevent any evaporation of the liquid in the high temperatures of space. Also the ball is made of tungsten carbide which is able to withstand the high pressure of the nitrogen.
To combat this on early missions to combat this problem, pencils were used by both the russians and the americans. Usually the americans used mechanical pencils. But both mechanical pencils and normal pencils presented hazards. As anyone who has used a pencil would know that many times when the tip breaks, the broken piece is difficult to collect. These broken tips along with micro pieces broken from the pen could easily float in scape. These pieces could easily get into machinery and other compinotos, even the astronauts eyes. This would pose a significant problem for the equipment as it can damage the circuits.
The russian's were aware of this problem and used grease pencils which did not have the problem as a normal pencil. But to access more of the writing parts, astroumounts had to peel back the wax. But this created a similar problem with the paper floating in the air. Also astronauts complained that it was imprecise and smudgy.
To solve this problem a space pen was created.What the pen does is it has pressurised nitrogen which forces the ink to flow down the tube. This allows the pen to be used anywhere, even underwater. The ink and the nitrogen are separated by a floating barrier.
The ink itself is a very viscous consistency, almost like a solid. This is to prevent any evaporation of the liquid in the high temperatures of space. Also the ball is made of tungsten carbide which is able to withstand the high pressure of the nitrogen.
