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Majority of Americans Believe It Is Essential That the US Remain a Global Leader in Space (pewinternet.org)

Posted by msmash on from the what-we-want dept.

Pew Research: Sixty years after the founding of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), most Americans believe the United States should be at the forefront of global leadership in space exploration. Majorities say the International Space Station has been a good investment for the country and that, on balance, NASA is still vital to the future of U.S. space exploration even as private space companies emerge as increasingly important players. Roughly seven-in-ten Americans (72%) say it is essential for the U.S. to continue to be a world leader in space exploration, and eight-in-ten (80%) say the space station has been a good investment for the country, according to a new Pew Research Center survey conducted March 27-April 9, 2018. These survey results come at a time when NASA finds itself in a much different world from the one that existed when the Apollo astronauts first set foot on the moon nearly half a century ago. The Cold War space race has receded into history, but other countries (including China, Japan and India) have emerged as significant international players in space exploration. Another finding in the report: Most Americans would like NASA to focus on Earth, instead of Mars.

10 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Moon? by Bodhammer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Moon colonization shout be the goal along with asteroid mining. That is the best way to build a sustaining space travel infrastructure. Mars can wait.

    --
    "I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
    1. Re:Moon? by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 4, Insightful

      First things first -- space station in Earth orbit, able to be replenished with fuel (reaction mass) via automated spacecraft as well as accepting capsules loaded with people. Then use nuclear-rocket powered shuttles for the leg between station and moon.

      Spacecraft designed for travel in space aren't optimized for launch from Earth into orbit, and vice versa. "2001" had it right in the 1960s.

    2. Re:Moon? by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Because in a century or two whomever dominates space will control access to resources that will become increasingly scarce or environmentally irresponsible to extract on Earth.

      Europeans didn't immediately start sailing around the world and creating colonies and trade infrastructure. They started by creeping the coastlines of the Old World until marine technology had reached a point where opennsea voyages became possible. But the point is that those technologies were developed and advanced.

      Probes serve their purpose, but it's clear at least that the Chinese have bigger plans, and it would seem prudent for the US to leverage it's nearly six decades of space exploration to meet the challenge, rather than sitting around and losing the race.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  2. Need education first by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Considering 1 in 3 Households in the US rank as âoeThe Working Poorâ, Americaâ(TM)s fastest growing demographic and the fact that the majority of US Households cannot afford to send their children to a college in the US, how exactly shall the US remain relevant at all. Itâ(TM)s a well known fact on Wall Street that the days of US economic supremacy are over. Itâ(TM)s all about the cash heist now. By 2035 China and the BRICS will rule and the US will become a 3rd world shithole renowned for it Prison Society and corporate backed military authoritarianism against its population of impoverished ignorant bible banging fuckwads

  3. Ignore what the public thinks by Leuf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    72% think it is essential that the US be at the forefront of space EXPLORATION, but 18% think we should do any exploring. People as a whole are completely, utterly useless at directing policy. If you ever want to do anything important or interesting ignore what people think about it.

  4. Not quite by igotmybfg · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "Majority of Americans Believe It Is Essential That the US Remain a Global Leader in Space As Long As It Doesn't Cost Them Anything"

    fixed it for you

  5. Re:Problems by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We could do both if we weren't so all-fired eager to get involved in every brushfire war worldwide.

  6. Re:I know why by gweihir · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Trump as president is just a symptom. Removing him will do nothing about the actual problem.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  7. Re:Doesn't matter ... by jwhyche · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Very good. I mis-interpreted your intentions. You have my apologizes.

    --
    I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
  8. Re:I know why by murdocj · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Maybe we could blame him for appointing Pruitt and rolling back all the environmental regulations that we've so painfully established? Just so his buddies can make a profit while the rest of us drown in filth? How about blaming him for that?