Japanese astronaut, worried because he grew 9 centimeters in three weeks in space

Experts explain that it is normal for people to grow up to five centimeters during space missions, because the absence of gravity causes the vertebrae to separate and the spine to expand.

In mid-December, Norishige Kanai left for the International Space Station (ISS) to complete a six-month mission. Three weeks have passed since then, and his body has already begun to change: he grew 9 centimeters.

The Japanese astronaut posted on his Twitter account that they noted their unusual change, after they measured the size of the entire crew that arrived at the ISS.

"Good morning to all. I have a great announcement today. They measured our bodies after arriving in space and wow, wow, wow !, I have grown nine centimeters, "Kanai wrote in the social network.

Experts explain that it is normal for people to grow in space, because the absence of gravity causes the vertebrae to separate and the spine to expand. However, astronauts recover their measure when they arrive on Earth.

The situation is that, according to experts, the average growth is between two and five centimeters. Far from the 9 that Kanai grew up.

"Nine centimeters is a lot, but it is possible, knowing that each human body is different," Libby Jackson of the United Kingdom Space Agency told the BBC.

In his publications, the astronaut of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was concerned about the unusual condition. But what worries him?

"I am a little worried about whether I will enter the Soyuz spacecraft seat when I return (to Earth)," said Kanai, who is conducting his first space mission, as he previously served as a dive medical officer for the Maritime Self-Defense Force. from Japan.

Soyuz is the ship that transports astronauts from Earth to the ISS and brings them back, and their seats have a height limit, so if the crew members grow a lot, they could have problems.