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Fisher offered the pens to NASA in 1965, but, because of the earlier controversy, the agency was hesitant in its approach. In 1967, after rigorous tests, NASA managers agreed to equip the Apollo astronauts with these pens. Media reports indicate that approximately 400 pens were purchased from Fisher at $6 per unit for Project Apollo.
The Soviet Union also purchased 100 of the Fisher pens, and 1,000 ink cartridges, in February 1969, for use on its Soyuz space flights. Previously, its cosmonauts had been using grease pencils to write in orbit.
Originally posted by Soylent Green Is People
That is correct, Phage.
And before NASA bought the space pen from Fisher for $6, their astronauts used pencils. However, because NASA felt there was a risk (however slight) of a piece of broken pencil graphite floating into the equipment, they felt that a pen was a better idea.
NASA never asked Fisher to make the pens, and Fisher spent only its own money developing them.