Shuttle Atlantis lifts off on final NASA shuttle flight. Photo Credit/NASA TV
Americans disagree with the decision to retire NASA’s space shuttle program and fear the U. S. will fall behind rival nations in the exploration of space, according to a late July poll by IBOPE Zogby.
The majority of those surveyed also believe the U. S. needs strong government as well as commercial participation in future space initiatives.
The Internet survey of 2,297 adult Americans was conducted July 22-25 — or initiated one day after shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth with four astronauts, marking the end of the 135 mission, three decade program. The Atlantis astronauts stocked the International Space Station with enough supplies to sustain six crew aboard the orbiting science lab through 2012. The time “cushion” is intended to permit emerging U.S. commercial re-supply services to initiate their first missions to the station and establish a launch rhythm.
The survey found that 74 percent of Americans believe the shuttle program was a worthwhile use of government funding.
Fifty-nine percent disagree with the decision to retire the shuttle; just 33 percent agree.
Astronauts visit an asteroid in this artist's illustration. Image Credit/Lockheed Martin
The decision to retire the shuttle was struck by the Bush administration in the aftermath of the 2003 Columbia trajedy. The retirement strategy granted NASA enough missions to finish the more than 12-year assembly of the space station.
The Obama administration cancelled a replacement initiative to return American explorers to the moon by 2020, after a panel of experts determined the Constellation Program was financially unsustainable.
The Zogby poll, which was released Wednesday, found that 60 percent of Americans believe the nation is in danger of being surpassed by rival countries in space.
Both government and commecial initiatives will be necessary to make future strides in space, said 48 percent of those surveyed. Only 28 percent believe NASA can shoulder the task alone. Fewer, 17 percent, believe the private sector can succeed alone.
Currently, the White and Congress are debating the development terms for the Space Launch System, a new NASA heavy lift rocket for future human missions to destinations beyond low Earth orbit, including asteroids and eventually Mars. The strategy also relies on a new crew capsule called the Orion/Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.
Congress has directed NASA to have both operational by late 2016.
However, NASA has said the SLS will take longer.