INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION — A Japanese astronaut has grown nearly an inch taller after launching into space 21 days ago.
Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai mistakenly tweeted this week that he had grown 3.5 inches after spending 3 weeks on board the International Space Station. He later corrected that claim to 0.8 inches.
Astronauts spines often expand in space due to the lack of gravity, reports the BBC. This results in a height increase. The height returns to normal after the astronaut returns to Earth.
Astronauts can also experience a loss of bone minerals and muscle mass.