Shuttle Atlantis begins space station journey. Photo Credit/NASA
A Rasmussen Reports poll unveiled this week reveals some rather dramatic shifts in public opinion this year in favor of NASA and the agency’s endeavors in human as well as robotic space exploration.
The changes unfolded during a on going debate among lawmakers and policy makers over the agency’s future. The catalyst for the sometimes contentious give and take has been the looming retirement of NASA’s shuttle program. Two scheduled flights remain, with a good possibility of a third “final” flight in mid-2011. Each of the flights is intended to bolster the future of the NASA-managed International Space Station, which is likely to receive a four-year extension of operations — until at least 2020.
Last week, Congress delivered road map legislation to the White House that calls for a new human deep space exploration capability by 2017. Destinations include the asteroids and eventually Mars. The measure, which also invests in new commercial human orbital transportation capabilities, awaits President Obama’s signature.
Eighty percent of adult Americans express a favorable opinion of NASA, up from 64 percent in January, according to the Rasmussen poll, published Tuesday. Fourteen percent have a negative outlook, down from 20 percent in January. Those in favor include 32 percent, who view NASA very favorably.
The telephone survey of 1,000 adults conducted Oct. 1-2 includes a 3 percent plus or minus margin of error.
Sharply divided over future exploration
In spite of NASA’s rising respect, Americans remain remarkably divided in their support for future exploration. Forty one percent of those polled would invest, 41 percent would not. Those unsure represent a hefty 17 percent. In January, 50 percent believed a cutback was warranted.
As the shuttle program nears retirement, 52 percent believe the 132 missions launched so far have been worth the expense, up 12 percent from January. Twenty-eight percent believe the shuttle program has been a poor investment, 20 percent are unsure.
In light of those numbers, it’s especially interesting to note that 72 percent believe human space flight, a capability about to move off shore for at least a few years, is important to the nation. Just 21 percent believe the opposite. Thirty-five percent of those in the supportive category believe the capability is “very important.”
Seventy-six percent believe robotic exploration is important, including 29 percent who say it’s very important. Sixteen percent believe robotic missions are not important.
Who Should Pay?
So, who should pay? The outcome reveals a lack of consensus. Forty percent believe space exploration is an appropriate government expenditure. Thirty-two percent would rely on private investors to lead the way. Twenty-eight percent are undecided on this significant issue.