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[–] Hey_Sunshine 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

Of course the problem with pencils in space is sharpening them. Graphite will conduct electricity, something you don't really want floating around in an oxygen rich environment with sensitive electronics stuffed into every nook and cranny.

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[–] UsedToCuck ago 

mechanical pencil. done.

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[–] Fibbideh 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

We actually DID use mechanical pencils before we developed the space pen. We switched because the act of writing using a pencil in any form creates graphite dust. Under gravity this isn't a problem, but in 0g the dust forms a freefloating cloud. This wouldn't be a problem during short missions but prolonged activity in space, such as the ISS, graphite dust buildup becomes a problem for electronics.

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[–] Pawn ago 

vacum + sharpener.

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[–] Fibbideh ago 

I think you're underestimating how messy shit gets in space.

In order to use this vacuum-sharpener you need to send it up there, which uses valuable storage space and weight. On top of this, no machine is perfect. It will miss some shavings. Even the every act of using pencils creates graphite dust. It's how they work. This means prolonged use is a hazard by graphite dust buildup, regardless of how many vacuumes you want to put up there.