Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

July 14, 2021. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to space tourism.

Most of Russians can recall the following five space-related events happened over the recent two years: launch of rockets by Elon Musk’s SpaceX (11%), launches/construction of new rockets (6%), Mars exploration programs (5%), a hole in the ISS and the development of Chinese space programs (4%, respectively). At the same time, every fifth Russian has not heard anything about events related to space (21%); and one-third of respondents (31%) could not answer the VCIOM interviewers’ question. Males and respondents with incomplete higher and higher education diplomas are more aware of space events.

A third of Russians say the most important space-related areas to be explored for Russia are Russia’s International Space Station project/launch of new space stations (30%) and military space programs (29%). Baikonur Cosmodrome lease and maintenance (10%) and space tourism (8%) are viewed as low-priority. Young respondents are more likely than others to consider space tourism as a high-priority area (15%).

Awareness about space tourism

The majority of Russians have heard about space tourism (75%); most often they are respondents aged 45 and older. Twenty-four percent of Russians have not heard of this form of tourism; those are often young Russians aged 18-24.

Every second Russian (50%) considers that there is no space tourism in Russia. Every fifth believes that space tourism does exist in Russia but it is not developing (21%). A further 9% say that it exists and develops. Eleven percent of Russians know nothing about space tourism; 10% remain undecided.

About one-third of Russians are ready to fly to space

About one-third of Russians (30%) would like to fly to space and visit the International Space Station (ISS); 34% would like to fly a jet plane to the stratosphere; 33% would like to have spaceflight training in Zvezdny Gorodok; 43% would like to take a tour to space-vehicle launching sites such as Baikonur or Vostochny.

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 8, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Let us talk about world space industry. What space-related events have you heard about over the recent year or two?  It can be any events you have remembered. (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents, answers of at least 2% of respondents)

 

Total respondents

Men  

Women

SpaceX / Elon Musk flights / launch of rockets by Elon Musk

11

17

6

Launches of rockets, satellites / construction of new rockets, satellites

6

7

5

Mars exploration programs / Mars rovers

5

7

3

A hole in the ISS / air leak

4

4

3

Chinese programs / construction of the station

4

7

2

Our rocket launches/satellites

3

4

3

60th anniversary of Yu.Gagarin’s flight  / anniversary of the first human spaceflight/ Cosmonautics Day

2

1

2

Rogozin’s  activities / songs, memes

2

3

1

Corruption at Roskosmos / stealing money from budget during the Vostochny Cosmodrome construction

2

3

1

Development of space tourism

2

1

2

Movie shot in space 

2

1

3

USA programs  / launches of rockets/ satellites

2

2

1

China launched a Mars rover

2

3

2

Construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome / scandals

2

3

1

Russia’s fiasco in space/ no progress / failures

2

3

1

I heard nothing

21

18

24

Potherb

5

7

4

Don’t know

31

20

40

I am going to list seven directions for the development of space industry. In your opinion, which directions should be developed first in Russia? Please choose two top priorities or give your own.  

(closed-ended question, up to 2 answers, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Ages 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Russia’s  participation in International Space Station and creation of new space stations

30

44

27

32

30

25

Military space programs including military satellites

29

13

25

28

31

34

Exploration of Moon and Mars

18

43

19

20

13

13

Construction of new space launch sites (Vostochny), Morskoy Start, etc.)

17

10

13

16

20

20

Construction of new rockets

14

23

16

12

13

10

Baikonur Cosmodrome lease and maintenance

10

13

11

8

10

11

Space tourism

8

15

15

8

6

4

None of the above-mentioned

5

1

6

5

5

6

Other  

8

1

6

10

9

8

Don’t know

13

10

13

10

13

17

Have you read/heard any information about space tourism, or not?  

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Ages 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Yes

75

50

69

74

81

82

No

24

50

30

26

18

17

Don’t know

1

1

1

0

1

1

In your opinion, is there space tourism in Russia, or not? If the answer is yes, is it likely to be advancing, or not?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

In our country there is no space tourism

50

There is space tourism in Russia but is not developing  

21

Space tourism in Russia exists and advances

9

I know nothing about it

11

Don’t know

9

Would you personally like to…?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Rather yes  

Rather not   

Don’t know

Have a flight to the ISS  

30

69

1

Have a jet flight to the stratosphere (gravity-free flight in a group of people, with cosmonauts, etc.)

34

65

1

Take a tour to the Baikonur or Vostochny  cosmodromes

43

56

1

Have a spaceflight training using simulators in Zvezdny Gorodok (Star City)

33

66

1

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