Answer (1 of 6): Original question: Is it true that astronauts grow up to two inches taller while they are in space and when they come back to Earth they return to their normal height?

February 20, 2024 - Astronauts in space can grow up to 3 percent taller during the time spent living in microgravity, NASA scientists say. That means that a 6-foot-tall (1.8 meters) person could gain as many as 2 inches (5 centimeters) while in orbit.

October 26, 2016 - The decrease put the astronauts at four times the risk for spinal disc herniation compared to control subjects. The astronauts also “grew” an average of about two inches because of "spinal unloading."

July 20, 2021 - The spine's elongation in microgravity can add two inches to a six-foot-tall astronaut. The increase is credited to the lack of compressive forces of gravity. Astronauts in space can grow up to 3 per cent taller during the time spent living in microgravity, NASA scientists say. Therefore, if an astronaut is a 6-foot-tall (1.8 meters) person, he or she could gain as many as 2 inches ...

December 29, 2017 - In addition to other possible effects of the weightlessness of outer space (yet to be determined), Kelly appears to have grown about 2-inches during this period. This fact is corroborated by a comparison with Scott’s brother, Mark, who is ...

January 7, 2013 - Astronauts in space can grow up to 3 percent taller during the time spent living in microgravity, NASA scientists say. That means that a 6-foot-tall (1.8 meters) person could gain as many as 2 inches (5 centimeters) while in orbit.

March 3, 2016 - After living for nearly a year in space, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is two inches taller than his identical twin brother Mark. NBC News reports.

January 11, 2018 - Here’s one: On Twitter this past Monday, Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai proudly claimed that after spending three weeks on the International Space Station, he had grown three and a half inches...

July 23, 2025 - Not a little, either. On average, astronauts can gain about 5 cm (2 inches) in height when orbiting the earth. But before you sign up for a room assignment, to be long, it’s a catch: It’s just temporary.

November 7, 2018 - In space, astronauts grow taller. Microgravity in space causes the spine to elongate, making astronauts on average 2 inches taller in space.

December 8, 2024 - Did You Know…Astronauts Get Taller in Space! While floating in orbit, astronauts grow up to 2 inches taller! Have you ever wished you could grow a few inches without having to buy those …

December 19, 2023 - While in orbit, astronauts can grow up to 3% taller during their time in microgravity. If someone is 6 feet tall, they could grow as much as 2 inches! But what caused the height change?

March 4, 2020 - For a quick overview of some of the many conditions that can affect the human spine due to overuse, injury and normal wear-and-tear during life on earth, click here. ... After a year in space, Scott Kelly returns 2 inches taller (3/3/2016).

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January 10, 2018 - ... However, Kanai re-measured himself and, in a follow-up tweet, said he came in at a much more normal 0.79 inches. (Astronauts grow anywhere from .79 inches to 1.97 inches in space on average.)

July 19, 2025 - In space, astronauts grow taller. Microgravity in space causes the spine to elongate, making astronauts on average 2 inches taller in space. They return to their normal height upon returning to Earth.

March 19, 2025 - One of the more surprising effects of microgravity is that astronauts grow taller in space — sometimes by as much as two inches.

October 20, 2025 - Statistical highlights reinforce the truth: astronauts grow an average of 3 centimeters (just over an inch) early in their mission, sometimes peaking at 5 centimeters (2 inches) according to NASA’s Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health.