How do I Use a Zero-Gravity Pen in Space?
The zero-gravity pen is commonly called a space pen; the Fisher Pen company invented the pen in the mid-1960s. It was meant to replace mechanical pencils and grease pens as writing instruments aboard the early space missions of that time. Looking like a conventional ball point pen, the main difference is in the pressurized cartridge that supplied them. This advancement allows a space pen to write in a zero-gravity environment and even underwater. These American-made pens even equipped Soviet space missions during the cold war. Remove the zero-gravity pen from its package, if applicable. Hold the pen in your hand as you would in a natural writing position and push down on the button located at the top of the pen. This will extend the ball point at the bottom through a mechanical means. Place the pen on a suitable writing medium, such as paper, cardboard, labels and begin to write. The pressurized cartridge will feed ink onto the ball point and allow writing virtually anywhere, including
