Recent American attitudes about NASA and space exploration

[LoneTree1941]

In a recent Rasmussen Reports telephone poll of 1,000 Americans, the following attitudes about NASA and its projects come to light:

Should the current goals of the space program include sending someone to Mars?
36% of American Adults agree
38% disagree
27% are not sure

Space Program Should be Funded by;
36% Government should continue to fund
38% Private Sector . . .
25% Not Sure
From January to April 1% went from undecided to Private sector on the above question


Is it important for US to have unmanned space program?
60% Say it’s important
20% Say it very important (part of the 60%)
31% Say unmanned space-ships not important
9% Say not important at all


(53% Say economy most important issue)
Given the state of the economy the US should cut back on space exploration
49% Say yes (up 5% since last year)
24% Say no and oppose cutback in this area
18% Say not sure


Overall opinion of NASA and NASA programs
78% have a somewhat or very opinion of NASA
27% have a very favorable opinion (part of the 78% above)
14% Unfavorable
3% Very unfavorable (included in 14% above)

Has the scientific value of the Hubble Telescope been worth the cost?
47% Say yes
21% Say no
32% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

(Sorry, I don’t know where the missing percentages are in cases they don’t add up to 100%)

[Zvezdichko]

It's not only American attitude, unfortunately

[John Jaksich]

In a recent Rasmussen Reports telephone poll of 1,000 Americans, the following attitudes about NASA and its projects come to light:

Should the current goals of the space program include sending someone to Mars?
36% of American Adults agree
38% disagree
27% are not sure

Space Program Should be Funded by;
36% Government should continue to fund
38% Private Sector . . .
25% Not Sure
From January to April 1% went from undecided to Private sector on the above question


Is it important for US to have unmanned space program?
60% Say it’s important
20% Say it very important (part of the 60%)
31% Say unmanned space-ships not important
9% Say not important at all


(53% Say economy most important issue)
Given the state of the economy the US should cut back on space exploration
49% Say yes (up 5% since last year)
24% Say no and oppose cutback in this area
18% Say not sure


Overall opinion of NASA and NASA programs
78% have a somewhat or very opinion of NASA
27% have a very favorable opinion (part of the 78% above)
14% Unfavorable
3% Very unfavorable (included in 14% above)

Has the scientific value of the Hubble Telescope been worth the cost?
47% Say yes
21% Say no
32% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

(Sorry, I don’t know where the missing percentages are in cases they don’t add up to 100%)

One thing of which I did not see was who did they poll? Were the subjects college educated? Were they blue-collar workers? Depending on the level of education-and exposure to astronomy education and outreach--individuals will differ in their opinions.

The aims of most public outreach and Intro Astronomy courses is to change public perceptions of why and how astronomy (and science in general) is not meant for just geeks. There is great beauty in examining practically any Hubble photo--it is our birthright--> to see we are actually stardust.

[LoneTree1941]

I think it's positive, because the economy is the largest focus of Americans, and 36% being willing to both risk the life and spend the money to send a human to Mars is a much larger proportion than the national concern about the spending (economy) would indicate.

Likewise, the percentage of people who want a large role for the private sector funding in space. This to me, shows a recognition that what we've done in the past hasn't worked well when it comes to our position. Lots of people are astounded and dismayed that at present we pay so much to Russians for tickets to the space station.

[LoneTree1941]

One thing of which I did not see was who did they poll? Were the subjects college educated? Were they blue-collar workers? Depending on the level of education-and exposure to astronomy education and outreach--individuals will differ in their opinions.

The aims of most public outreach and Intro Astronomy courses is to change public perceptions of why and how astronomy (and science in general) is not meant for just geeks. There is great beauty in examining practically any Hubble photo--it is our birthright--> to see we are actually stardust.

Being a random poll I would assume all educational demographics would be represented, which means their exposure to astronomy doesn't weigh in as a factor, just what reaches them from the media. But, astronomy is still the most "democratic" of the sciences, because the sky is out there every night, half the space around us, and everybody is naturally curious bout it.

[NEOWatcher]

It's not only American attitude, unfortunately

Unfortunately? What is your interpretation from that?

I just see a bunch of percentages that aren't compared to anything. Is the long term trend going up? going down?
How does it relate to other scientific issues?
I get nothing but a snapshot of numbers.

[Zvezdichko]

Well, it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Just open a news site and you'll see. Fact.

I just see a bunch of percentages that aren't compared to anything. Is the long term trend going up? going down?

You want comparison?

Here is is...

This is a poll from 2010:

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2010/0...oll-shows.html

"Fifty percent (50%) of Americans now say the United States should cut back on space exploration given the current state of the economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 31% disagree with cutting the space program, and 19% more are not sure. The new findings mark a six-point increase in support - from 44% last July - for cutting back on space exploration."

And more, look at the comment of Frank Sietzen:

Reminds me of a Gallop poll released just prior to the launch of Apollo 11. While a bare plurality supported the mission (47 percent for and 42 percent against) a large majority (62%) named space exploration as their no. 1 candidate for cuts if cuts were needed to balance the federal budget. Asked to rank space missions on a scale of national priorities, space failed to even make the list of the top 20. Result? In Sept 1969 Nixon canceled the Saturn V assembly lines, effectively ending manned space flight to the Moon or use of the big booster for other missions. He then proceeded to slash the NASA budget in each year, from FY70 to FY73 and funded the Shuttle with a bare bones $5 billion cap (in then-yr $$). Will history repeat itself????

[Ara Pacis]

Well, it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Just open a news site and you'll see. Fact.



You want comparison?

Here is is...

This is a poll from 2010:

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2010/0...oll-shows.html

"Fifty percent (50%) of Americans now say the United States should cut back on space exploration given the current state of the economy, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 31% disagree with cutting the space program, and 19% more are not sure. The new findings mark a six-point increase in support - from 44% last July - for cutting back on space exploration."

And more, look at the comment of Frank Sietzen:

Reminds me of a Gallop poll released just prior to the launch of Apollo 11. While a bare plurality supported the mission (47 percent for and 42 percent against) a large majority (62%) named space exploration as their no. 1 candidate for cuts if cuts were needed to balance the federal budget. Asked to rank space missions on a scale of national priorities, space failed to even make the list of the top 20. Result? In Sept 1969 Nixon canceled the Saturn V assembly lines, effectively ending manned space flight to the Moon or use of the big booster for other missions. He then proceeded to slash the NASA budget in each year, from FY70 to FY73 and funded the Shuttle with a bare bones $5 billion cap (in then-yr $$). Will history repeat itself????

In other words, it's not recent. This isn't anything new.

[NEOWatcher]

Well, it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Ok; so you are basing it more on the money spent. Nothing wrong with that.

I just see a lot of "not sure"s in this one, and a lot of favorable numbers when it's not directly tied to funding.
So yes; from a funding perspective, it doesn't seem that bad. From a broader view it looks rather ambibuous.

On the other hand, I wonder how much of that is due to people being fed up with the current state of spending.

[Rhaedas]

I don't think those numbers are all that bad, considering the state of things in the economy. I do think that the first question, had it been worded a bit different, could have increased. Instead of asking average people should our goal be to go to Mars, if you ask them should our goal be to explore how we can best send people to Mars, then it takes the scientific decision off them. Plus, the "send someone to Mars" is too much a flag planting, and I hope we can see past that, because that's how we got to this whole thing about "been there, done that" with the Moon. Our goal should be a starting point, not an ending.

But the rest is expected, given our education system and economic woes. For some reason, it's thought that NASA has a big chunk of the budget, until you put it beside some other departments.

Wonder how the same poll would do now, after Curiosity landed?

[mutleyeng]

My guess would be, the week after Curiosity, big spike in support of funding - two weeks after, back to what it was before landing.

[R.A.F.]

...it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Actually, that would be "people everywhere" else.

Certainly not here....

[novaderrik]

Well, it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Just open a news site and you'll see. Fact.

i hope you aren't basing that on the comments section of space related articles.. because comments sections always bring out the people that are the most vocal in their disdain for whatever the subject is.. that's a fact- just open a news site and you will see...

[primummobile]

i hope you aren't basing that on the comments section of space related articles.. because comments sections always bring out the people that are the most vocal in their disdain for whatever the subject is.. that's a fact- just open a news site and you will see...

The opinion polls I've seen indicate about a 60-40 split in favor of space exploration.

[Solfe]

I run polls on my blog and I can't help but notice a serious bias in favour of space exploration when it comes to tech minded people.

It appears I can't ask questions about space exploration without the bias leaking in. However, I can run a poll on "what is you favourite operating system" or "what is your favourite browser", which do seem to work out fine.

That is odd.

[LoneTree1941]

I don't think it's so odd Solfe. In the poll, in the question which there is a lot of ignorance by the public and gives us the largest "unsure" of 32% is on the Hubble Space telescope, something virtually everyone in the astronomy community is aware of but perhaps some 1/3d of the population has little awareness.

The second largest "no sure" - Should the current goals of the space program include sending someone to Mars - of 27% shows the same kind of ambivalence. They become concerned about the safety and don't know, beyond planting the flag there, what it could produce that would change their lives, and that's what such a mission has to be sold on.

[Zvezdichko]

What I can't really understand is why when somebody starts talking about the amazing things going on in space - like - the ISS, the landing of Curiosity, there are always people who say that we can't afford space projects, we're spending too much on space and we should spend money on our problems here, on Earth.

OK, fine ... people look at the $2.5 billion figure and say it's too much. Yet those are the same people who don't mind expensive Olympic games and giving $18 billion for temporary stadiums that will be destroyed after the 17-day event.

[mutleyeng]

I really dont think conflating completely different things helps to make an argument - there are a lot of people who do very much mind that kind of spending - that argument is best steered well away from IMO

[Zvezdichko]

I compare different things just to show that many people are in fact limousine liberals.

[LoneTree1941]

What I can't really understand is why when somebody starts talking about the amazing things going on in space - like - the ISS, the landing of Curiosity, there are always people who say that we can't afford space projects, we're spending too much on space and we should spend money on our problems here, on Earth.

OK, fine ... people look at the $2.5 billion figure and say it's too much. Yet those are the same people who don't mind expensive Olympic games and giving $18 billion for temporary stadiums that will be destroyed after the 17-day event.

A quick calculation shows that the cost of the Curiosity project is about $7.00 per American citizen, a linear calculation since the wealthiest actually paid more by large factors...

[Garrison]

Well, it's a well known fact that people everywhere think that space exploration is a huge waste of money.

Just open a news site and you'll see. Fact.

Taking you at your word I went to the BBC and found this article:

Space - the new rock and roll

Looking at the comments yes there's a few naysayers but they are rather drowned out by the positive comments, and the ratings reflect the general attitude. So I guess not actually a 'fact' then.

[Garrison]

What I can't really understand is why when somebody starts talking about the amazing things going on in space - like - the ISS, the landing of Curiosity, there are always people who say that we can't afford space projects, we're spending too much on space and we should spend money on our problems here, on Earth.

OK, fine ... people look at the $2.5 billion figure and say it's too much. Yet those are the same people who don't mind expensive Olympic games and giving $18 billion for temporary stadiums that will be destroyed after the 17-day event.

Nope, if you did any real research you would see exactly the same sort of negative comments about the Olympics from a similar band of naysayers who pretty much hate everything. Oh and do I need to point out they can't be the same people regardless since the Olympics and Curiosity are financed by different countries? And most of the stadia will not be destroyed either so you really are batting zero so far today...

[Zvezdichko]

Nope, if you did any real research you would see exactly the same sort of negative comments about the Olympics from a similar band of naysayers who pretty much hate everything. Oh and do I need to point out they can't be the same people regardless since the Olympics and Curiosity are financed by different countries? And most of the stadia will not be destroyed either so you really are batting zero so far today...

OK. I accept your criticism that I didn't do any research. Let's bow to the almighty Mr. Garrison who knows about everything:

[TJMac]

It's been my general impression (very possibly quite wrong) that a lot of people actually don't have much interest in any sort of space. UNLESS there is a sense of national pride involved... then it spikes ever so briefly. I suspect most people are not aware of their own countries accomplishments, let alone the ones of other nations.

With that in mind, it feels like few enough people have any idea of what the space program has accomplished. "Spend that money on something worthwhile," they say. I have talked with people who act like we are putting stacks of money on ships and blasting it into space, never to return.
Far more is spent routinely on entertainment, and that is fine. I say, for the dollar value, I have never watched a game with anymore anticipation for the ending than watching/listening to Curiosity go through it's paces as it landed.

Stakes were higher, and it feels like the chances for failure were greater. I say that not in dismissal of the skills of the team that designed and built it, but just in awe of the immense scope (in my mind) of the whole mission. I was very wide awake, watching on Xbox, listening in Google+, up to the point when it was confirmed down safe. Then it was ok... go to bed NOW. That is entertainment!

It is difficult to change people's attitude though, once they are set.

TJ

[R.A.F.]

I compare different things just to show that many people are in fact limousine liberals.

When you proceed from invalid comparisons, any conclusions made will be flawed.

[Zvezdichko]

When you proceed from invalid comparisons, any conclusions made will be flawed.

I'm not exactly sure that it's an invalid comparison. I'm just showing that there are people who complain about the Curiosity's cost, yet they're fine with their own consumerist lifestyle. We're talking about priorities here.

Look at this:

http://www.spaceexplorationday.us/be...riorities.html

When

[Noclevername]

I compare different things just to show that many people are in fact limousine liberals.

I'm a fixed-income borrow-my-mom's-car moderate, and yet I support space programs.

[R.A.F.]

It is difficult to change people's attitude though, once they are set.

I'll say....my "interest" peaked in 1961, and hasn't decreased since.


...and I haven't seen a rational reason to change that opinion.

[Zvezdichko]

My interest peaked in 2003-2004 during the MER mission. And it's far from gone.

[mutleyeng]

interesting back of envelope calculation
Britain public spending on Olympics currently projected at 9 bn sterling
UK has held 3 games over last 100 yrs, so lets say it has spent 27bn on such

Britains current annual contribution to ESA - about 270 million sterling
Project that over 100 years ...well, you do the math

When you make a silly argument (comparison) its all too easy to shoot it down in flames. Better off just not making silly arguments