Would you go to the moon? Board an alien spacecraft? What nearly 80 years of polls say about US attitudes on space
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- A recent Ipsos poll shows strong American support for NASA's space missions, with 62% believing the benefits outweigh the costs, and both political parties showing similar levels of approval.
- NASA enjoys an 80% favorability rating, standing out as one of the few government agencies with relatively unpolarized public opinion, contrasting with past skepticism following the 1969 moon landing.
- Historical polls reveal initial public doubt about space travel and moon landings, with early enthusiasm for personal space travel growing over time but still not reaching a majority.
- The 1969 moon landing remains a defining national achievement, with a large majority of Americans expressing pride and viewing NASA's space exploration as beneficial to society.
- Looking forward, Americans prioritize sending astronauts to Mars over returning to the moon, expect routine space tourism by the 2070s, and nearly half foresee potential military conflicts in space.
