posted 04-28-2008 01:39 PM            

For the record I support the new manned lunar program but in speaking with lots of people - young and older (like me) - I find a lot of 'I didn't know', 'I really don't care' (too many other worries, economy, gas prices, etc), or 'Why are we spending money for that?'.

posted 04-28-2008 02:00 PM               

Further, "more than 60 percent believe the U.S. should continue to fund space exploration either at its current level or an increased one."

A different poll, conducted in the same general time frame, found that interested waned among younger Americans, with about 45% "neutral", compared to 29% interested and 23% opposed. Only about half those polled were familiar with the Vision for Space Exploration in some manner.

A recent AP article on this subject, 'Rocket City' shows little interest in moon, mars missions, suggests that the Constellation program has been slow to attract the attention of Huntsville, Alabama residents.

posted 04-29-2008 11:58 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mjanovec:
Perhaps the key to generating excitement is to emphasize possible alternate energies that might be developed using the moon.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Paul78zephyr:
Does NASA care that Americans dont care?

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posted 04-30-2008 06:01 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
(Respondents support this approach if NASA's budget does not exceed 1 percent of the federal budget.)"

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It's the same here in the UK: focus on absolute expenditure on the Holy Grails of the public sector, rather than relatives.

posted 04-30-2008 08:27 AM            

But the nation's current lackadaisical attitude towards the program has little to do with domestic or global political issues, in my opinion. We're a culture built on consumption and luxury (ironically, thanks in part to innovations driven by the space program), with a bit of a guilt complex about it. The post-WWII high of national pride and the belief in America's capacity to do the impossible has long worn off, to be replaced by self-doubt. To further the problem, our culture no longer celebrates excellence, substituting the value of the results of hard work with false extravagance born of laziness.

You're not going to capture the imagination of people who have no imagination to begin with.

Now, this may sound bleak, but it's not permanent. In a decade, today's kids will be of voting age, today's teenagers will likely have kids of their own. To effect a cultural change (where enthusiasm for exploration is only one part), you have to start with the roots. Instilling (or rebirthing) that sense of wonder, that innate curiosity, is the first step. It's nearly too late for my generation (I'm 25), and any attempts to grab our attention will meet with marginal success. We're the Shuttle generation, and getting us to see the space program as anything more than a trucking service is going to be nigh impossible.

But I hold out hope for the generation that's going to grow up with Constellation. If we're going to go back to the moon and to Mars, we're going to need the support of kids who are now 8-12 years old. There's a lot of them (as numerous as the Boomers, within that age window), and they're still young enough to find the Shuttle at least interesting.

But the first Ares launch is going to be a key event in capturing the imagination and future support of these kids.

posted 05-01-2008 12:03 AM               

Looking forward to reading your notes, thanks for sharing!

posted 05-01-2008 12:23 AM               

Mel, do you remember what the other "major buckets" were that were listed? NASA is not a major bucket by any definition of the phrase. At less than 1/2 of 1% of the federal budget, any comparison with any "major buckets" would be a weighted poll designed to take advantage of false impressions that the space agency is better funded than reality upholds.

Even a poll designed to pit similarly funded programs against each other would be highly questionable. Take for example, education: Ask the average joe or jane which is more important to fund, NASA or the Education Dept., and the latter will win hands down. But it's a false comparison, because part of the NASA budget goes toward education. So those voting to slash NASA, are cutting the very effort they want to support.

posted 06-17-2008 02:28 PM               

New Gallup Poll Reveals Americans Strongly Support Space Exploration, Believe it Inspires Younger Generation

As America prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASA later this year, a new Gallup Poll released today shows strong support for the U.S. Space Exploration Program.

The most recent poll, conducted in May 2008, is the latest in a series of four polls commissioned by the Coalition for Space Exploration in an effort to better understand the extent of support and public attitudes toward America's space program. The first three polls were conducted in June 2005, March 2006 and August 2006.

"These latest results -- as well as poll data from the last several years -- reveal that even in the midst of varying world and national circumstances, Americans still strongly support space exploration, and are willing to support its funding at current levels or even slightly increased levels," said Mary Engola, chairwoman of the Coalition for Space Exploration's Public Affairs Team. The 2008 Gallup Poll shows more than 52 percent of those surveyed would support an increase in space exploration funding. Currently, NASA's budget is less than 1 percent of the federal budget, or approximately 15 cents per day for the average, tax-paying citizen. In addition, 68 percent of all respondents surveyed agree that the benefits of space exploration outweigh the risks of human space flight.

"Space exploration has impacted the lives of every single American," Engola said. "Countless benefits from space have improved health care and medicine, enhanced public safety, and improved the agricultural and environmental industries. Space technology advances have created many industries, spawned millions of jobs and infused billions of dollars into our economy. The return on our investment has been substantial," Engola added, "And I think Americans understand that."

When asked about the educational and inspirational qualities of the space exploration program, almost 70 percent of respondents believe America's space program inspires young people to consider an education in science, technology, math or engineering fields.

"The benefits of space extend far beyond millions of homes, hospitals, schools, offices and airports," said Tracy Lamm, deputy chair of the Coalition's Public Affairs Team. "Space plays a tremendous role in encouraging and motivating students to study these exciting fields... and today's young people are the very ones who will be making their mark on the universe as they carry out the next phase of space exploration."

Are Americans fearful that the U.S. will lose its leadership role in space to other countries that have outlined robust plans for lunar exploration? According to the poll, 68 percent of respondents are not concerned about China's intent to send probes to the Moon by 2017, nor are they concerned that America may surrender its leadership role in the space arena. These numbers mirror the findings of the previous three polls.

The Gallup Organization conducted the survey April 15-May 8, 2008. Previous polls were conducted Aug. 2-19, 2006; March 3-19, 2006; and June 9-July 1, 2005. Results for each were based on a nationally representative sample of 1,000 telephone interviews with a general population sample of adult men and women ages 18 and older residing in telephone-equipped households. Errors attributable to sampling and other random effects are plus or minus three percentage points. Other factors that can introduce error or bias in the findings of opinion polls include question wording and practical difficulties. A complete posting of the Gallup survey is available.

About the Coalition for Space Exploration:

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a collaboration of space industry businesses and advocacy groups whose mission is to educate and inform the public on the value and benefits of space exploration and to help ensure the United States will remain a leader in space, science and technology -- key factors that will benefit every American, strengthen our nation's economy and maintain our national security.

posted 06-18-2008 10:26 AM               

After all, the Space Exploration Initiative went nowhere in part because everyone focused on the price tag of $500 billion (for a Mars mission), omitting that it would have been spent over 25+ years. And pseudo "fiscal realities" were also put forward to terminate the initiative. And budget-wise, the US is in no better shape than 20 years ago.

Which begs the question: how do you sell the (space) program?