Sun, Oct 24, 2004
Nevertheless, numbers are not what they used to be...
A comprehensive,
in-depth study by Dittmar Associates aimed at understanding public
perceptions of NASA and particularly the Space Exploration Program
reveals that Americans continue to support human space flight, with
69% supporting Space Exploration and 26% opposed. In addition, when
provided information about the percentage of the U.S. budget
allocated to NASA each year (less than 1%), 42% of the respondents
indicated that it should be increased, 29% said it should be
decreased, and 29% believed it should remain at its current
level.
The researchers invited participants to offer their own ideas,
thoughts, and suggestions as if they could be heard by NASA. The
results of the study are therefore similar to a marketing survey,
but more importantly they serve as a dialogue – one-sided
though it may be – between a sample of the American public
and its space agency.
Some of the results include:
- 42% of Americans believe that NASA is either “very
relevant” or “relevant” to their day-to-day
lives;
- Americans are concerned about terrorism, healthcare, and
education, but the degree to which they believe NASA is relevant to
their daily lives is the most important determinant of their
attitudes toward funding;
- 61% of Americans indicated that the success of the Mars Rovers
has had a positive effect on attitudes toward NASA in general, but
this does not necessarily carry over to human space flight;
- 79% of respondents believe that NASA is “marketed”
poorly or very poorly
- When given the opportunity, Americans have a variety of
suggestions about how to better promote the space program and make
it more relevant to them personally.
An abridged summary including some of these results is available
for free download at the Dittmar Associates website using the FMI
link below. The complete, final report presents information
analyzed by demographic variables including age, ethnic background,
region of the country, marital status, political party, and
dependents, and delves more deeply into the perceptions, desires,
concerns and suggestions expressed by study participants in
response to questions about NASA and its missions, particularly the
Space Exploration program.
The final report will be available for a fee to interested
parties on the Dittmar Associates website on November 10,
2004. Dittmar Associates is a Certified Small Woman-Owned Business
and consulting group located 30 miles south of Houston, Texas.
Specializing in market and business development, training, and
R&D, the company works closely with universities, large
companies in aerospace and small technology companies.
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