When we picture life in space, we think of floating, seeing Earth from afar, and the thrill of exploration. But behind that excitement lies a different story — how life beyond gravity reshapes the way our bodies grow and function.
In this article, we’ll take you through the most surprising changes, from height increase to deep physical challenges. Let’s explore together!
Why We Get Taller in Space
On Earth, gravity constantly pulls us downward. Over time, our bodies have adapted to this force. One example is our spine — it's slightly compressed when we stand or sit due to gravity.
But in space, without gravity pressing down, our spine can expand. The soft discs between the vertebrae take in more fluid, allowing them to swell slightly. This results in our spine stretching, and that makes people appear taller — sometimes by up to 2 inches!
Unfortunately, this isn't a lasting effect. Once we return to Earth, gravity does its job again, and our height returns to its usual number.
The Bigger Problem: Losing Strength in Our Frame
Growing taller might sound fun, but there's a downside that astronauts face: a decrease in the strength of their body’s support system. On Earth, we maintain strong support structures because our daily activities — like walking or lifting — give the muscles and the internal framework the pressure they need to stay strong.
In space, that pressure disappears. With no regular push and pull on the structure, certain cells that maintain our body’s firmness slow down, while others that break down old tissue become more active. This imbalance causes our body’s internal frame to slowly weaken.
Studies show that after just a few months in space, the density of some key parts of our frame can decrease by over 3%. This mostly affects the lower part of the body — the hips, legs, and other areas that usually carry our weight on Earth. These changes can cause issues when astronauts return, making it harder to walk or move without extra care and training.
Why This Matters Even Here on Earth
The changes our body goes through in space have inspired scientists to study how to better support people with similar conditions back on Earth. For example, people with reduced strength in their support structures, especially older adults, experience similar problems.
The tools, exercises, and even treatments developed for astronauts could one day help millions of people on Earth improve their mobility and reduce health risks.
What Else Changes Up There?
Our height and body support aren’t the only things affected. Muscles shrink from lack of use, and the body redistributes fluids differently. That’s why astronauts sometimes look puffier in the face.
Even the balance system in our ears gets confused without gravity. This can make people feel dizzy or unsteady when they first arrive in space or when they come home. It takes training and time to adjust.
How We’re Preparing for Longer Space Trips
As we look ahead to Mars missions or long-term space living, researchers are working hard to solve these health puzzles. Special resistance workouts, carefully planned diets, and wearable devices that simulate gravity are all being tested.
In the future, we might even see new tech like spinning rooms that create artificial gravity or smart medication that helps the body hold onto its strength during space travel. Every new discovery brings us one step closer to safe and healthy space exploration.
Final Call: Ready to Face Space?
Space changes us. It stretches us taller, shifts our body’s fluids, and gradually takes away the strength of our inner support. These changes may feel surprising — even a bit unsettling — but they also push us to grow in ways we never imagined. That’s what makes space exploration so powerful: it teaches us about our own resilience and creativity.
So, Lykkers, what do you think? Some dream of floating among the stars and embracing the unknown. Others find joy in following the discoveries from right here on Earth. No matter where we stand, one thing is clear — the journey of understanding space belongs to all of us. Let’s keep exploring it together, step by step, idea by idea.
What Happens to the Human Body in Space?
Video by Seeker
