Space Man Back To Earth

Scott Kelly returned to Houston early this morning, after one year in space. .. and he's two inches taller!

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...s-home-to-Houston-after-a-year-in-6867224.php

 

That's pretty cool about him being 2 inches taller, but won't last. Welcome back, Scott Kelly!

 

I haven't heard the reasoning for that yet.

 

I think it's just that the spine elongates while in space and then back on earth it goes back to normal...thinking gravity but I'm just guessing, too early for me to even know what I'm talking about.

But I've got an earworm going with the song "Rocket Man" because of BBT and Howard Wolowitz.

 

I thought the same thing, gravity. That will compress him back down.

 

I guess they use the word microgravity. Sounds like there are many things to examine after the year floating. Such sacrifice to be a guinea pig in the name of science.

Astronauts in space for weeks to months can run into trouble. Calcium in bones secretes out through urine. As the bones weaken, astronauts are more susceptible to breaking them if they slip and fall, just like people with osteoporosis. Muscles also lose mass.

Astronauts typically exercise two hours a day in space to counteract these effects, but it still takes months of rehabilitation to adjust on Earth after a typical six-month space mission. More recently, doctors have discovered eye pressure changes in orbit. NASA has tracked vision changes in astronauts that were on the space station, but nothing so serious as to cause concern.

http://www.space.com/23017-weightlessness.html

 

Very interesting, Bonnie. Hope their eye pressure goes back to normal because that could lead to glaucoma if unchecked. Maybe they should use eye drops that lower pressure in your eyes while in space.

It's great to do these trips in space and learn things but shouldn't be risking health of the astronauts.