Age and space flight.

Criteria for space flight crew and passenger selection should be based on the following three considerations: (1) freedom from impairing disease, (2) ability to perform mission requirements and (3) motivation to undertake the mission. Chronologic age of itself is not a valid criterion. Forecast life expectancy and vitality relative to mission duration are valid criteria and can be applied on an individual basis using modern assessment techniques. The good health and vitality characterizing the upper ages of today's population widens the opportunity to utilize increasingly broad fields of experience and skills in future space flights, further enhancing the odds for total mission accomplishment.