Space Station Crew To Study Why Astronauts Get Taller In Space

January 2, 2013

Image Caption: Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum is photographed working with the USND-2 (Ultrasound 2) unit in front of the HRF-1 (Human Research Facility 1) Rack. Credit: NASA

Lee Rannals for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Researchers are looking into why astronauts are able to grow taller while spending time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronauts who are living aboard the orbiting laboratory have been known to grow 3 percent taller while living in microgravity. However, they return to their normal height when back on Earth. NASA has now commissioned a Spinal Ultrasound investigation to better understand this change.

This is the very first time that spinal ultrasound will be used to evaluate the changes in the spine, Scott A. Dulchavsky, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator for the station study, said in a statement. Spinal ultrasound is more challenging to perform than many of the previous ultrasound examinations done in space.

The difficulty with imaging the spine is simply due to human anatomy, NASA said. Using the Ultrasound 2 machine aboard the space station gives astronauts an advanced tool to view the inner workings of their bodies.

Today there is a new ultrasound device on the station that allows more precise musculoskeletal imaging required for assessment of the complex anatomy and the spine, Dulchavsky said. The crew will be able to perform these complex evaluations in the next year due to a newly developed Just-In-Time training guide for spinal ultrasound, combined with refinements in crew training and remote guidance procedures.

The research could help develop exercises for better crew health and guiding improved rehabilitation techniques when astronauts return to Earth. Helping to understand how changes to the spine occur in real-time response to life in space will help crews prepare for future long-duration missions.

Dulchavsky said that another benefit of the research is that it could also reduce costs and provide a safer imaging option for patients here on Earth.

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Space Station Crew To Study Why Astronauts Get Taller In Space