Space Does Something Strange to Astronauts' Sense of Gravity

A study of 11 astronauts on five-month ISS missions found their grip and hand movements remained largely shaped by Earth gravity in microgravity.

The astronauts adapted only partially in space, and their movements quickly readjusted after landing, including brief errors in judging object heaviness.

Researchers say the brain’s learned sense of gravity is slow to fully recalibrate, revealing measurable but incomplete sensorimotor adaptation.

The findings could help improve astronaut training, performance, and safety during spaceflight and after return to Earth.