Viability

Explorable planets have a viability rating. By earning Andromeda Viability Points (AVP) on a potential colony world, the viability rating of the planet will increase. AVP can be earned by scouting planets, making allies, defeating threats, repairing damaged environments, and other actions that make Heleus a better home.

Display mechanics
The graphical display of planetary viability has some additional features and information that isn't explained.
 * If a planet hasn't been discovered yet, the text shows UNKNOWN. Discovering the planet replaces this text with a percentage bar.
 * Each viability bar goes from 0% to 100%.
 * The smallest amount of viability awarded is 2%.

There is a color coding system that applies to each viability bar.
 * 0% — 1% Empty
 * 2% — 39% Red
 * 40% — 69% Orange
 * 70% — 89% Light Blue
 * 90% — 100% Green

There are two vertical dark lines on each viability bar that correspond with 40% and 70% viability.
 * The 40% dark line likely indicates the minimum threshold to establish an outpost on a planet.
 * The 70% dark line likely indicates an advanced cryo pod perk requirement for that planet. However, there is no dark line for the 90% requirement.

Rewards
There are two key rewards for increasing viability on planets: cryo pods and outposts. A bonus mission can also be unlocked by increasing viability.

Special cryo pods
Certain cryo pods can only be unlocked if the player earns sufficient viability on a specific world.

Outposts
Players must earn at least 40% viability on a planet before an outpost can be established. On those planets, outposts grant a massive AVP reward and a new hub with its own missions to pursue. In addition to reaching 40% viability, there may be other specific actions needed on certain worlds to support an outpost. If so, these actions can be found in the Journal under "Heleus Assignments" for that planet.

Bonus mission
If planetary viability is raised to 100% for all five planets and the mission Epilogue: Home and Away has been completed, a special Priority Ops mission The World is Waiting will be unlocked.

Checking Viability
Once the mission AVP Cryo Deployment Perks has been completed, planetary viability can be checked from the Main Menu:

It can also be checked through the planetary holo in the Pathfinder's Quarters or in Pathfinder HQ.

Achievements and trophies
The following achievements and trophies can be earned related to viability:
 * All Clear.png All Clear
 * Terraformer.png Terraformer