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Japanese astronaut sorry for 9cm ISS growth mistake | Japanese astronaut sorry for 9cm ISS growth mistake |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Japanese astronaut has apologised for wrongly stating he has grown 9cm (3.5in) since arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) just over three weeks ago. | A Japanese astronaut has apologised for wrongly stating he has grown 9cm (3.5in) since arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) just over three weeks ago. |
Norishige Kanai said in fact he grew by 2cm, blaming "a measurement mistake". | Norishige Kanai said in fact he grew by 2cm, blaming "a measurement mistake". |
"I'm very sorry for tweeting out such fake news," he tweeted in Japanese. | "I'm very sorry for tweeting out such fake news," he tweeted in Japanese. |
His original incorrect claim sparked global fascination among social media users. Astronauts grow an average of between 2-5cm in space. | His original incorrect claim sparked global fascination among social media users. Astronauts grow an average of between 2-5cm in space. |
This is because of the absence of gravity which allows the vertebrae in their spines to spread apart. | This is because of the absence of gravity which allows the vertebrae in their spines to spread apart. |
'A bit relieved' | 'A bit relieved' |
Mr Kanai originally tweeted (in Japanese): "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! | Mr Kanai originally tweeted (in Japanese): "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." | "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." |
But later on, he tweeted that his Russian commander on the ISS, Anton Shkaplerov, was sceptical, "so I quickly measured myself and was roughly 182 cm. 2 cm plus my height on earth". | But later on, he tweeted that his Russian commander on the ISS, Anton Shkaplerov, was sceptical, "so I quickly measured myself and was roughly 182 cm. 2 cm plus my height on earth". |
"So it was a measurement mistake (?), but it seems many people are talking about it. | "So it was a measurement mistake (?), but it seems many people are talking about it. |
"I have no back pains, and actually the pain around my neck and shoulders is gone, so I doubt I'm 9 cm taller. Flight Commander Shkaplerov would know these things, he's such a veteran." | |
Mr Kanai said he was a "bit relieved", adding: "I'll probably fit into the Soyuz when I go home." | Mr Kanai said he was a "bit relieved", adding: "I'll probably fit into the Soyuz when I go home." |
The Soyuz spacecraft which takes the astronauts from and to Earth has a limit on seating height. If crew members become too tall, it could pose a problem. | The Soyuz spacecraft which takes the astronauts from and to Earth has a limit on seating height. If crew members become too tall, it could pose a problem. |
Astronauts can grow while in space and return to a normal height when they go back to Earth. | Astronauts can grow while in space and return to a normal height when they go back to Earth. |
This is the first space mission for the Japanese astronaut who was previously a diving medical officer with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. | This is the first space mission for the Japanese astronaut who was previously a diving medical officer with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. |
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