Japanese Astronaut Grew 3.5 Inches

[Toroid]

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai grew 3.5 inches taller while aboard the ISS. Growing two inches is normal.
In space, everyone grows. But this Japanese astronaut shot up 3½ inches.

In space, everyone can see you grow.

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai said on Twitter that he is 3½ inches taller since arriving at the International Space Station on Dec. 19. Weightlessness has that effect: Without gravitational force compressing the spine, vertebrae relax and temporarily expand, like a coiled spring unspooled from the top.

“Good morning, everyone. Today I share some serious news. Since coming to space, I have grown 9 centimeters. This is the most I’ve grown in 3 weeks since junior high school,” Kanai wrote Monday.

But even three and a half inches is a remarkable height difference. NASA has said about two inches of growth is typical and expected in space.

“Nine centimeters (3.5 inches) is a lot, but it is possible, knowing that every human body is different,” said Libby Jackson, a program manager for the U.K.’s Space Agency, the BBC reported.

And while it is temporary, and astronauts return to their normal height when they slip the bonds of space and return home, the height difference has an immediate impact on the dimensions of space suits, stations and vehicles.

 

[FFH]

That is a lot, almost 9 centimeters. Bet he wanted to keep it, like anyone else It's interesting how the spine can stretch like that, and then go back to normal without feeling any pain (?). Truly the human body is just perfect and adapts to anything.

 

[nivek]

I wonder if other bits grew too lol...

 

[FFH]

I wonder if other bits grew too lol...

Perhaps the "other bits" went tiny from the overall height being increased?

 

[Toroid]

It was a mis-measurement and he only grew by 2cm.
The Japanese astronaut who people worried might get stuck in space has spoken out

But just over a day later – as international news stories voiced concern and interest in the strange phenomenon – Mr Kanai apologised. His captain had raised questions about his measurements and he did them over again – and they showed that he had only grown 2cm, in line with normal expectations.

"This mis-measurement appears to have become a big deal, so I must apologise for this terrible fake news," he tweeted, without explaining how the original miscalculation had occurred.

 

[FFH]

Hmm 9 cms seemed believable...

 

[3FEL9]

It can be easily fixed by ejecting out of a fighter airplane.. the pilots get permanently shorter each time.