&#x27;&#x27;&#x27;there was a public effort to try to select a broad representation of cultures, backgrounds, educations, nationalities etc to be astronauts.&#x27;&#x27;&#x27;<p>Oy vey... that might be a sentiment which befits an established enterprise, but it is no way to reach for the stars.<p>Do you think Magellan or Columbus tried to be inclusive when they were looking to crew their expeditions? Of course not, they selected on whatever capabilities or vices they deemed necessary for their purpose. Did the Vikings go for a multicultural crew when they tried to reach Vinland? Nope. What about Genghis Khan, did he choose his troops by looking at the colour of their skin or their cultural heritage? He probably did, the criteria being &#x27;just as long as they look and talk like me&#x27;.<p>Trying to be culturally sensitive and inclusive might work when trips to Mars are organised by the UN, based on technology and experience from pioneers like the current crop of &#x27;commercial space access providers&#x27;. This is not where we are just now, however. Right now the selection criteria are altogether more practical: can you afford it, cope with the stress, have the right capabilities, can you function as a crew in a cramped environment for an extended period, can you handle the possibility of being left &#x27;stranded&#x27; on a planet hostile to (our) life?