Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR FUNDING SPACE EXPLORATION IN THE UNITED STATES

While NASA and the space program have had consistent positive public approval ratings, there are those who think that the space program is a luxury and that the money spent on it could be better spent elsewhere. To sustain the Vision for Space Exploration over its anticipated 40 year duration which will return a man to the Moon and land one on Mars, NASA must justify the benefits of the space program to the American public. Those who do not support the space program may support the benefits and technologies that come out of it. This study will be conducted to determine if that is the case using descriptive statistics. If it is apparent that the public does not support funding the space program, while at the same time supporting the benefits of it; it will demonstrate that more must be done to educate the public about the benefits of space exploration in order for the Vision for Space Exploration to endure for the long term.