Japanese Astronaut Apologizes for 'Fake News' Tweet Over Height on Space Station

Fake news apparently exists on the International Space Station, it was revealed this week.

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai was forced to retract a claim that he had grown nine centimeters (3.5 inches) taller during his first three weeks. Citing a measurement error, he posted an updated tweet Tuesday that explained he had actually gotten taller by two centimeters — which equals a little more than three-quarters of an inch.

"I'm so sorry [for the] terrible fake news," Kanai wrote.

Kanai arrived at the Space Station in December and is scheduled to be there until June.

Astronauts often grow taller during their time in space because the low-gravity environment allows their vertebrae to spread.

Retired American astronaut Scott Kelly's DNA changed during the year he spent in space, it was reported early last year. 

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