If you want to become an astronaut can you have tattoos?

Answer 1

Although no astronaut to date has had any tattoos during there employment with NASA.

NASA currently has no rules against astronauts having visible tattoos.

But i still don't think that answers the question, because there is more to it.

It all depends on two things; What type of astronaut do you want to be? (pilot, mission specialist, commander, etc), and how do you plan on getting there?

To be a pilot or mission specialist, you will need so many hours of "in command" jet piloting. To get these hours you can join the navy, air force, or a private flight program.

Recently the navy has slackened their rules regarding visible tattoos.

The Air Force allows a tattoo to cover up to 25% of the body part shown in uniform.

The navy, I believe, will allow 25% of your arm to be covered. so no sleeves and nothing past like 2 inches before your wrist.

Different flight schools have different rules and regulations regarding eligibility. Contact the school your interested in to learn more.

I myself want to be an astronaut. Once i get my bachelors degree in aerospace engineering, i plan on joining the air force. I hope by then they will have slackened their rules, because i have a sleeve tattoo on my left forearm. Next week i have an appointment to get a quote on laser removal.

anyhow, that's the jest of it. hope that helps.

Answer 2

Yes, astronauts can have tattoos as long as they are not offensive or inappropriate. However, tattoos in certain areas of the body may need to be covered up depending on the mission requirements.