Japanese astronaut worried after growing 9cm in space

In the minimal gravity environment of the International Space Station, astronauts often get taller as their spines expand.

A Japanese astronaut living on board the International Space Station has expressed his shock at growing 9cm (3.5in) since arriving in space three weeks ago.

Lieutenant Norishige Kanai said on social media that he was concerned he wouldn’t fit into the spacecraft that would return him to Earth.

Lt Kanai, 41, was selected as an astronaut candidate by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009.

He launched as JAXA’s crew representative on Expedition 54 to the International Space Station (ISS) in December.

Lt Kanai tweeted: “Good morning, everybody. I have a major announcement today. We had our bodies measured after reaching space, and wow, wow, wow, I had actually grown by as much as 9cm!

“I grew like some plant in just three weeks. Nothing like this since high school. I’m a bit worried whether I’ll fit in the Soyuz seat when I go back.”

Astronauts are tightly measured for their placement in the Soyuz capsules which return them to Earth.

Although it is normal for astronauts to grow a few inches when in space, they always return to their regular height when back under the gravitational pull of the Earth’s surface.

Research by NASA has shown that space travel can cause atrophy in the muscles supporting the spine, which often don’t return to normal even weeks after their return to Earth.

At the time, the researchers said their work “could provide helpful physiological information to support a manned mission to Mars”. news.sky.com