Russians are increasingly confident in the leadership of Russia in space exploration. The majority support national space program expansion.
MOSCOW, April 12, 2011. Russian Public Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how Russians assess the current positions of Russia in space exploration; whether the space program should be expanded; and why Russia needs to participate in space exploration.
The confidence of Russians in Russia`s leading positions in space exploration has increased over the recent decades (from 30% in 1998 to 41% this year). Most of them are residents of big cities (49%). At the same time the number of those who think that Russia has been less successful in this sphere has decreased (from 42 to 37%). This stance is shared by Muscovites and St.Petersburgians, and residents of middle cities (45% for each).
Most of Russians believe that Russia should expand space exploration programs; the share of such respondents has dramatically increased since 1998 (from 40 to 55%). Those who think so are mainly residents of middle cities (62%), 18-24-year-old Russians (62%), respondents with high level of education (64%) and active Internet users (60%). Those who think that the programs should be maintained at the same level are 28%; most of them are Russians aged 35-44 (31%) and those with low level of education (33%). Those who propose to cut space programs are in the minority (6% versus 10% in 1998 году).
As before, the main goal of space exploration is reported to be development of science and high technologies (53%). The second popular reason is ensuring defense capability of the country (44%). Rare respondents mention country`s prestige (18%). At the same time, more Russians think that space exploration is needed to develop aerospace industry and to create new jobs (from 9% in 2004 to 14% currently), as an opportunity to equally compete with the US, EU and China in space research (from 10% in 2005 to 13% in 2011), participation in missions to the Moon and Mars with other countries (from 3 to 9% over seven years), search for new worlds (from 2 to 8%), development of space tourism (from 1 to 4%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 2-3 April, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of errordoes not exceed 3.4%.
At the dawn of space exploration Russia took leading positions in this field. Which of the following statements about the position of Russia in space exploration is closer to your point of view? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 1998 | 2011 |
I think that Russia keeps its positions | 30 | 41 |
I regret to say that Russia has lost its positions | 42 | 37 |
I am not concerned about Russia to have lost its positions | 8 | 5 |
I am not interested in this question | 12 | 10 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 6 |
In your opinion, should national space exploration programs be expanded, maintained at the same level or cut? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 1998 | 2011 |
Expand | 40 | 55 |
Maintain at the same level | 32 | 28 |
Cut | 10 | 6 |
Hard to tell | 18 | 10 |
What for should Russia participate in space exploration? (close-ended question, not more than two answers) | |||
| 2004 | 2005 | 2011 |
To develop science and high technologies | 52 | 52 | 53 |
To ensure country`s defense capability | 44 | 44 | 44 |
To maintain country`s prestige on the international arena | 18 | 17 | 18 |
To provide the opportunity to equally complete with US, EU and China | 11 | 10 | 13 |
To develop aerospace industry, create new jobs | 9 | 10 | 14 |
To participate in missions to the Moon and Mars with other nations | 3 | 4 | 9 |
To develop space tourism | 1 | 1 | 4 |
To search for new worlds and set contacts with extraterrestrial civilizations | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Russia do not need to explore space | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Hard to tell | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!