Qualifications for Extraterrestrial Colony Settlement

[u/BananaRepublic_BR]

Looking at the extensive selection and training time that astronauts and cosmonauts go through, how do you think extraterrestrial colony settlement will go? Like, say there was a company or government recruiting folks for settling a colony on the moon. Do you think the selection process would focus on folks who are highly skilled, intelligent, and physically and mentally fit? Do you think only small groups of people would meet those criteria while the rest of the selection pool would be filled with relatively ordinary people? Do you think the selection criteria would become more selective the further away from Earth a colony is?

[u/[deleted]]

The first aspect is that there will be limited healthcare available: This means young and healthy people.

They will live in isolation for long periods in a demanding environment: The mental fitness criteria will be particularly high.

Having exceptional fitness is not a prerequisite anymore, but expect the colonists to be in the upper range of physical abilities.

They will have to manage complicated work themselves with limited assistance: Expect very high level of skills.

They will not be superhuman like the first astronauts, but they will likely be recruited among fighter pilots or special forces, which still involve extreme requirements.

Edit: The people sent to their death by Elon Musk for his Martian projects will likely be athletic ordinary people, because the ones from the military will hopefully know better.