You can have a working replica of the gravity defying writing instrument used by Soviet Cosmonauts on early manned space flights, (yes, that's right, it's a pencil). The Russian Space Pen is red with gold lettering spelling out RUSSIAN SPACE PEN.
Being essentially, well, a pencil, the Russian Space Pen is usable in zero gravity situations and will even work when you're a bit short on atmosphere.
When NASA first started sending astronauts into space, they realised that the ball-point pen would not work at zero gravity.
A million dollar investment and two years of tests resulted in a pen that could write in space, upside down, on almost any surface and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300°C.
When confronted with the same problem, the Russians used a pencil.
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Fisher Space Pen Chrome Bullet Space Pen with leather necklace #400-JR/BK | Sale Price: £25.96 |
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