Yes - but at the same time, the issue with pencils is that the graphite can break off and get into fun and interesting places, and graphite is highly conductive, so there’s a substantial risk of FOD when in zero-G
There’s also the bit where the first Soviet spacewalk almost ended in the first dead guy in space because the suit blew up like a goddamn balloon, and he had to stab his own fucking glove (!?!?!?!?!) to decrease pressure enough so he could fit back in the hatch. Say what you will about the Soviet Union, but the early cosmonauts had absolutely fucking MASSIVE balls.
In addition to what the other commenter said, it’s also a common misconception that NASA had anything to do with the development of the Fisher Space Pen.
Didn’t the Soviets simply use a pencil to write in space instead of designing a pen that could work with zero gravity?
Yes - but at the same time, the issue with pencils is that the graphite can break off and get into fun and interesting places, and graphite is highly conductive, so there’s a substantial risk of FOD when in zero-G
Ground control was ready to pull a Laika on them
There’s also the bit where the first Soviet spacewalk almost ended in the first dead guy in space because the suit blew up like a goddamn balloon, and he had to stab his own fucking glove (!?!?!?!?!) to decrease pressure enough so he could fit back in the hatch. Say what you will about the Soviet Union, but the early cosmonauts had absolutely fucking MASSIVE balls.
It’s a surprise they could even get them into space given the raw tonnage their balls added in.
In addition to what the other commenter said, it’s also a common misconception that NASA had anything to do with the development of the Fisher Space Pen.
That’s an urban legend I believe