{"id":11308,"date":"2018-06-22T07:00:36","date_gmt":"2018-06-22T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/many-in-u-s-have-confidence-in-what-private-space-companies-will-accomplish\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:15:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T08:15:21","slug":"many-in-u-s-have-confidence-in-what-private-space-companies-will-accomplish","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2018\/06\/22\/many-in-u-s-have-confidence-in-what-private-space-companies-will-accomplish\/","title":{"rendered":"Many in U.S. have confidence in what private space companies will accomplish"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Most<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 6 for a demonstration mission. NASA has contracted with private companies such as SpaceX to develop launch systems that might send astronauts into space as early as this year. (Jim Watson\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n\n

Most Americans express confidence that private space companies will make meaningful contributions in developing safe and reliable spacecraft or conducting research to expand knowledge of space, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Private companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are becoming increasingly important players in space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has paid private companies $6.8 billion<\/a> to develop launch systems that might send astronauts into space as early as this year. These companies are also setting their sights<\/a> on going to the moon or Mars in the future.<\/p>\n\n

\"Many<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

A large majority of Americans (81%) are confident that private space companies will make a profit from these ventures. Some 44% of Americans have a great deal of confidence that private space companies will be profitable, and an additional 36% have a fair amount of confidence.<\/p>\n\n

But Americans are also cautiously optimistic that private companies will make contributions that benefit U.S. exploration efforts. At least two-thirds of Americans have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence that private space companies will build safe and reliable rockets and spacecraft (77%), conduct basic research to increase knowledge and understanding of space (70%) or control costs for developing rockets and spacecraft (65%).<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

There is more skepticism about whether private companies will minimize human-made space debris. Some 48% have at least a fair amount of confidence that private companies will minimize space debris, while 51% have not too much or no confidence. Space debris increasingly poses a hazard<\/a> to orbiting satellites and space stations. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed a policy directive<\/a> requiring the federal government to update its practices in mitigating space debris.<\/p>\n\n

\"Americans<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

The small share of the public that is highly attentive to space news \u2013 those who say they have heard \u201ca lot\u201d about NASA in the past year and <\/em>\u201ca lot\u201d about private space companies \u2013 is especially likely to express confidence in private space companies. Almost all of those who are most attentive have at least a fair amount of confidence that these companies will build safe and reliable spacecraft (95%) or control costs when developing spacecraft (92%).<\/p>\n\n

In contrast, those who are least attentive to space news are less likely to have confidence in these private firms. For example, 60% of this group say they have at least a fair amount of confidence that private space companies will build safe and reliable rockets and spacecraft.<\/p>\n\n

Men are also more likely than women to express confidence in private space companies\u2019 abilities in these areas. Around three-quarters of men (74%) have at least a fair amount of confidence these companies will control costs for developing spacecraft, compared with 56% of women. And 85% of men say they have at least a fair amount of confidence that private companies will build safe and reliable spacecraft, while 69% of women say this.<\/p>\n\n

Even though many Americans express confidence in private companies in these areas, most still see a key role for NASA. About two-thirds say it is essential that NASA continue to be involved in space exploration (65%), while one-third believe private companies will ensure enough progress is made in space exploration even without NASA\u2019s involvement (33%).<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most Americans are confident that private space companies will make meaningful contributions in developing safe and reliable spacecraft or conducting research to expand space knowledge. 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