Poll shows many Americans believe NASA should prioritize asteroid hunting instead of returning to the moon.
Poll shows many Americans believe NASA should prioritize asteroid hunting instead of returning to the moon.
Americans’ Opinions on NASA and the Future of Space
A new report released by the Pew Research Center has shed light on Americans’ attitudes towards NASA and their expectations for the future of space exploration. The study surveyed over 10,000 US adults, revealing a disparity between government spending and public opinion.
Americans Support NASA, but not a Moon Mission
Most Americans (69% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans) believe it is essential for the United States to continue being a world leader in space. However, only a subsection of that group believes NASA should give priority to sending people to the moon. This finding highlights a discrepancy between government spending and public opinion.
The popularity of NASA has remained consistently high for decades, with a favorability rating between 60% and 70%, far higher than many other federal agencies. Despite this, the specific priorities of the US space program have often been at odds with public opinion. Only 12% of Americans believed that sending human astronauts to the moon should be NASA’s top priority.
US Dominance in Space
The United States has launched the Artemis Program, with the objective of landing humans on the moon by late 2024. This program emphasizes international cooperation, with partners such as Europe, Japan, and Canada participating. The competition between the US, China, and Russia in their respective efforts to land people on the moon adds a competitive element to these plans.
The recent poll results mirror earlier public opinion polling, particularly one conducted in 2018. While 65% of Americans stated that it was essential for NASA to continue its space exploration efforts, only a small percentage believed that sending humans to the moon should be the agency’s top priority. Interestingly, this valuation is not new. Even during the 1960s, when NASA undertook Project Apollo, Americans placed a higher priority on solving problems on Earth, such as pollution and poverty, than on landing humans on the moon.
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Despite moderate public support, human spaceflight consistently receives the majority share of US civilian space funding. This suggests that a combination of rationales, including advancing science, national stature, geopolitics, economic interests, and national security, shape national space priorities alongside public opinion.
Planetary Defense
The recent poll also explored people’s expectations for the space industry. Sixty percent of respondents believed that NASA’s top priority should be monitoring asteroids that could potentially collide with Earth. However, the budget allocated to NASA’s planetary defense office is less than 1% of the agency’s total budget. Despite this, the office has made significant progress, including conducting the world’s first planetary defense experiment called the Double Asteroid Redirect Test (DART). The DART mission intentionally crashed into an asteroid to observe how the impact would change its orbit, which could help scientists develop strategies to deflect asteroids threatening Earth.
Private Enterprise in Space
Private activity in space has seen a significant surge since the 2000s, with companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic leading the way. Unlike earlier companies that relied heavily on government funding and requirements, these “new space” companies set their own priorities and view the government as one of many customers.
These companies have introduced new capabilities to the market, such as daily Earth imaging, night and cloud picture-taking radar, space debris removal, and commercial moon landers. While many Americans view private activity in space positively, a significant portion remain unsure about the contributions and safety of these companies. Building rockets and spacecraft that are safe, reliable, and sustainable will be essential for winning the trust and enthusiasm of the public.
Americans’ Optimism and Concerns
The poll found that overall, Americans are optimistic about the future of space activity. Fifty-five percent of respondents expect routine space travel for tourists within the next 50 years. However, concerns exist regarding potential militarization and space debris.
Forty-four percent of Americans believe that the US will likely engage in conflicts with other nations in space within the next 50 years. While cyberattacks and GPS signal jamming have already occurred, physical attacks on satellites have not transpired. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a halt to one type of anti-satellite testing, and discussions are ongoing to reduce space threats and avoid conflict in space.
Moreover, 69% of Americans anticipate a major problem with space debris by 2073 as the number of objects in space continues to grow rapidly. The United States is working on improving data sharing and coordination with commercial and international partners through the development of a Traffic Coordination System for Space. International collaboration is crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
In conclusion, the Pew Research Center’s report provides valuable insights into Americans’ opinions on NASA and the future of space exploration. It reveals a discrepancy between government spending and public opinion, with most Americans supportive of NASA but not prioritizing a moon mission. The report also highlights areas of optimism, such as private enterprise in space and routine space travel, as well as concerns about potential conflicts and space debris. Continued research and consideration of public opinion are essential for shaping national space priorities and maintaining US leadership in space.
