Astra's Space News Roundup: Fisher Space Pen Attached to Space Station During Axiom AX-2 Mission

Yes, it's 2020 and now pens are heading off to space! This week, the Fisher Space Pen made history by launch on a mission to the International Space Station, becoming part of the Axiom AX-2 mission. In this edition of Astra's Space News Roundup, I'm giving a breakdown of this latest mission to join the ever-growing space aviation industry!

Mission Overview

• The Axiom AX-2 mission launched on April 7th from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
• It was a commercial mission supported by SpaceX.
• The mission flew the Crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft, carrying four people to the ISS.
• The Crew Dragon included the "Fisher Space Pen" among its passegrs.

The Fisher Space Pen

• The Fisher Space Pen has a remarkable history.
• It was developed in the late 1960s by Paul Fisher, who set out to create "a pen that would write in zero gravity".
• It works because the ink is pressurized, allowing it to flow freely regardless of the direction it is held.

My Take

This is such an exciting moment for space exploration and for fans of the Fisher Space Pen alike! It's incredible to think that something as seemingly ordinary as a pen can now be found aboard a spacecraft, and that this signature piece of technology has been part of the space industry since its inception almost fifty years ago. Here's hoping that the Fisher Space Pen continues to make history!