A compact pen for outdoor adventures – the Fisher Space Pen Stowaway

The Fisher Space Pen Stowaway is designed for people who travel light and value reliability. The body is only slightly larger than the ink cartridge itself.

When folded, it takes up minimal space – it fits easily into a wallet, organiser or the side pocket of a rucksack.

Why is the Fisher Space Pen different from any other pen?

Every pen in the range is hand-tested and comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. This isn’t just marketing – it’s a fact proven over decades.

It writes reliably in conditions where ordinary pens fail:

At extreme temperatures ranging from -34°C to +120°C
Under water and in other liquids
In zero gravity
At any angle, including upside down
It does not leak or skip whilst writing

Construction and materials

The body is made from anodised aluminium, whilst the internal components include brass and steel. The refill tip is a tungsten carbide ball – a material known for its exceptional hardness.

The clip allows for easy attachment to the edge of a pocket or rucksack – convenient and practical.

Special ink – technology tested in space

The ink is thixotropic – it is solid when at rest, but liquefies when writing. The cartridge contains a pressurised nitrogen gas cartridge, which pushes the hermetically sealed ink.

The result: the pen writes up to three times longer than standard ink and does not dry out.

The perfect gift for a man – and not just for men

The Fisher Space Pen Stowaway is a suitable choice for a wide range of people – doctors, lawyers, military personnel, police officers, business leaders, teachers, tradespeople and anyone who appreciates quality in a compact design.

It doesn’t run in the summer or freeze in the winter. You can keep it in your car, bag or survival kit – and rely on it at all times.

History: The pen chosen by NASA and cosmonauts

During NASA’s early missions, astronauts used pencils. In 1965, Paul S. Fisher designed a pen that would work reliably in the unique environment of space – without funding from NASA, investing around 1 million US dollars of his own money.

Following rigorous testing, in 1967 NASA equipped the Apollo mission astronauts with these pens. 🚀 In February 1969, the Soviet Union also purchased 100 pens and 1,000 refills for the Soyuz missions.

To this day, American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts use the Fisher Space Pen.

Specifications	Price
Brand	Fisher Space Pen
Model	Stowaway SWY/C-Black
Colour	Black
Body material	Anodised aluminium
Magazine tip	Tungsten carbide tip
Internal components	Brass and steel
Length when extended	13 cm
Length when folded	9.9 cm
Diameter	6.4 mm
Refill	SPR4 – black ink, medium tip
Compatibility with refills	All Fisher PR refills
Ink type	Thixotropic, pressurised with nitrogen
Operating temperature	-34°C to +120°C
Warranty	Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
Packaging	Blister pack

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Fisher Space Pen Stowaway and the standard Space Pen?

The main difference is in size and weight. The Stowaway is significantly more compact – when folded, it is just 9.9 cm long, whilst the standard models are longer. The body is only slightly larger than the ink cartridge itself. All technical specifications – pressurised ink, operation in extreme temperatures, writing underwater and in zero gravity – remain fully intact. The Stowaway is the preferred choice when space is limited in a bag, pocket or rucksack.

Does the Fisher Space Pen really write underwater and in zero gravity?

Yes. The pen contains a pressurised nitrogen gas cartridge which forces out the special thixotropic ink. It is hermetically sealed, meaning that gravity is not required for the ink to flow. The pen writes underwater, in other liquids, at any angle – including with the tip pointing upwards. It was precisely these characteristics that attracted NASA’s interest and led to the Fisher Space Pen being used on the Apollo missions.

What does ‘thixotropic ink’ mean, and why is it important?

Thixotropic ink is a special substance which, at rest, has a gel-like, almost solid consistency. When subjected to mechanical stress – for example, when writing – it liquefies and flows smoothly. This property is key because the ink does not leak on its own and does not dry out on contact with the air. The pen does not leak in your bag and does not leave stains. Compared to ordinary ink, it lasts up to three times longer.

Is the Fisher Space Pen Stowaway suitable as a gift?

Absolutely. The Fisher Space Pen Stowaway is a practical yet prestigious choice for a gift. It is suitable for a wide range of people – doctors, lawyers, military personnel, police officers, teachers, business leaders, school leavers and anyone who writes regularly. The pen’s history – developed for space missions and used by astronauts – makes it an interesting topic of conversation. At Dulotec.COM, you can find it in convenient blister packaging, ready to give as a gift.

What refills are compatible with the Fisher Space Pen Stowaway?

The pen comes with an SPR4 refill – black ink with a medium line width. In addition, it is compatible with all Fisher PR refills. This means that when the refill runs out, you can easily find and fit a suitable replacement. Fisher refills are widely available and come in a range of ink colours and line widths.

What is the warranty on the Fisher Space Pen Stowaway?

Every Fisher Space Pen comes with a lifetime guarantee against all manufacturing defects. Each pen is precision-assembled and hand-tested before leaving the production line. The warranty is a testament to the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s quality – and is valid for the pen’s entire lifetime, not just for a set number of years.

Why did NASA choose the Fisher Space Pen over a pencil for its space missions?

In early missions, astronauts used pencils, but these posed a risk – broken graphite particles could get into equipment or into their eyes in zero gravity. Paul S. Fisher developed a pen that works reliably in a space environment, without funding from NASA. The company invested around 1 million US dollars of its own funds. Following rigorous testing, astronauts on the Apollo missions have been using these pens since 1967. Later, the Soviet Union also purchased the Fisher Space Pen for its Soyuz missions. They are still used in space to this day.