Is it true that cosmonauts cannot have tattoos in Russia?

Users of social networks and the media in the summer of 2021 discussed the ban on those who wanted to go into space of Russians. We checked whether they really should not be filled with a tattoo.

At the end of July 2021 on the YouTube channel "Editor" It turned out An interview with Alexander Khokhlov, presented in the description under the video as “one of the main popularizers of astronautics in Russia”. Journalist Alexei Pivovarov, in particular, asked the interlocutor the question: “Is it true that Russians with a tattoo will not be able to take a selection to a detachment of astronauts?” Khokhlov replied: “Until now, yes, since tattoos are prohibited in the requirements for the selection signed by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Defense, since this is considered a hidden psychiatric deviation.” The expert added that this is due to outdated documentation requiring a review. Khokhlov’s words later retold radio "Komsomolskaya Pravda" And the magazine "Companion". The release of the editors and specifically this fact was discussed on social networks, for example "VKontakte" and in Twitter.

For many years, Khokhlov has been talking about space and astronauts on a variety of platforms. In particular, until recently he led Program on the radio "Echo of St. Petersburg", gave comments for "Vesti" and programs "Time", answered questions from newspaper readers "Fontanka" And He wrote Materials for several large publications. Khokhlov made lectures in Big Novosibirsk Planetarium, St. Petersburg Exhibition Center "Manege", on TEDX At the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and many other sites. In addition, Khokhlov himself Participated In the selection in the detachment of astronauts, but did not pass it for health reasons.

Although there are no serious doubts about the expert’s competence, a formal confirmation of his words could serve as a document called Khokhlov. Apparently, we are talking about the joint order of the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Health “On approval of the Regulation on the medical examination and monitoring of the health status of candidates for astronauts, astronauts and nosa instructors” of January 9, 2001. Although this legal act Mentioned In several later documents related to space topics, we could not find it in the public domain. The lawyers interviewed by us suggested that the order of the two ministers was not officially published, probably for reasons of secrecy. In a concise form, the requirements for candidates are set out in the document, published On the website of the Cosmonaut Preparation Center named after Gagarin. The tattoos in the list of requirements are not said.

At the same time, Russian astronauts spoke about the ban on the body of tattoos before. For example, in 2015 Oleg Artemyev reported The publication "Moscow 24": "I know that many guys have not taken because of tattoos." It should be noted that the opinion about the connection between tattoos and mental health is widespread and among participants much less exclusive selection - conscripts in the armed forces. Although the lawyer college "Cherry" reportsthat the release from the call due to tattoos has no legal grounds, in practice everything is sometimes different. So, in 2019, military registration and enlistment office in Bashkiria Refused To call on the rapper of Face-in particular, because of the tattoos on the face. As the chairman of the military medical commission explained, "such tattoos are already a sign of a mental disorder."

By the way, abroad to tattoos on the body of astronauts are more loyal. For example, a small tattoo was On the hand of the American, Pete Conrad, who in 1969 became The third person who stepped to the surface of the moon. German Alexander Gerst, who was twice flying into space and total who spent it in orbit for almost a year, has Tattoo on the shoulder.

Thus, the verified statement was expressed by an expert who participated in the selection of astronauts - the rules for the passage of this competition, approved, including the Ministry of Defense, are known to him firsthand. This information is confirmed by the astronauts who have visited orbit. The conviction of the connection between tattoos and mental health exists among at least some employees of the military enlistment offices - we can assume that this opinion appeared from the same obsolete rules that Khokhlov spoke of. Although the document that will confirm the fact that interests us confirm in the publication, there was no reason to experience serious doubts about the veracity of the statements.

Photo on the cover: Gosque corporation "Roscosmos"

Most likely, the truth

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Editors. Where is the Russian Ilon Musk and why they will not take the cosmonauts with a tattoo
2. Moscow 24. How the astronauts are prepared: Oleg Artemyev about exams, food on the ISS and tattoos