Space Pen, STS 51-D, Garn

Object Details

Astronaut

Edwin Jacob Garn

Manufacturer

Fisher Space Pen Co.

Summary

The Fisher AG7 space pen was developed in 1966 and adopted by NASA for the astronauts' use in 1968. Ordinary ballpoint pens do not work in space because the ink does not flow in weightlessness. The Fisher pen's ink cartridge is pressurized and will operate in extreme environments on Earth and in space. Astronauts and cosmonauts regularly use these pens in space, and many Earth-bound customers buy them as well. Senator Jake Garn used this space pen during his flight on the STS 51-D Space Shuttle mission in 1985, and he gave it to the Museum with various other possessions after the mission.

Credit Line

Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center

Inventory Number

A19850627000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Miscellaneous

Materials

metal, velcro, ink

Dimensions

Overall: 5 in. long x 1/2 in. diameter (12.7 x 1.27cm)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Location

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA

Exhibit Station

Human Spaceflight

National Air and Space Museum

Record ID

nasm_A19850627000

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv93a416980-1226-49ab-bd34-942606420a73