When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ballpoint pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat the problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and billions of $ to develop a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to 300c.......................
The Russians used a pencil.
2006-11-07 01:49:57 · 17 answers · asked by robsta 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Jokes & Riddles
ya I know, makes you sick doesnt it? sometimes the best answer is the most practical one
2006-11-07 01:51:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get your facts straight before you start spreading rumors. This one has been circulated for years and it is totally false.
NASA does use a pen that is pressurized for use in a microgravity environment but NO funds were ever allocated from NASA for the development of this pen. The funding and development came from a man named Paul Fisher.
The reason for using a pen in space, rather than a pencil, is because a pencil lead can break off and become a hazard to the crew and the spacecraft. Imagine if you accidentally inhaled a broken pencil lead... ouch. For this very reason, the astronauts are not allowed to season their food with salt and pepper... the seasonings could get loose and become a hazard.
Sorry to ruin the joke, but it's just not true.
*Added:
By the way Raven, you CAN buy one of these pens...
http://thewritersedge.com/fisher.astronaut.cfm
2006-11-07 09:59:00 · answer #2 · answered by Telesto 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
wonder which was cheaper. Bet NASA is thinking oh man we've been outsmarted by the russians. Goes to prove sometimes the solution isn't alway as hard as you would think doesn't it
2006-11-08 08:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by whay i lost my ?s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am old enough to remember that. You're right. The russians also designed a space shuttle very similar to our own, but opted not to use it. We are supposedly so far ahead of them in technology, but yet they find ways to get the job done for less, and even find ways to get rich Americans to help them. Do we let people go up in our shuttles and charge them big money for it? No!!!
2006-11-07 10:22:12 · answer #4 · answered by vern47452 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's funny! Must of been one of George Bush's relatives!
2006-11-07 13:10:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SO THE NASA IS S****D AND SEEMS THAT THE RUSIANS ARE VERY CLEVER.ONCE AGAIN THE NASA TRIED TO MAKES THEMSELVE SMART...........
2006-11-07 10:13:44 · answer #6 · answered by matmunirss 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah i read about that long ago...
is it safe to say:
they are filthy rich but have they common sense?
like duh?!
(its just my opinion...you know)
but what this guy T wrote....really? amazing...
2006-11-07 10:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by dumb-sel in distress 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats funny
2006-11-07 09:57:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lmfao! shows how smart america really is. thats probably why bush is prez right now.
2006-11-07 10:37:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
lmao
I'm in school, in a silent computer class, and I just laughed outloud. =D
2006-11-07 09:52:33 · answer #10 · answered by The Nutmeg Master 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋