Inhabitable moon base and mission to Mars are new realities of the XXIst century, and Russia will be the first, Russians say.
MOSCOW, April 11, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to Space Exploration Day.
Russia’s leadership in space exploration is recognized by the majority of Russians (84%). Respondents think that, apart from Russia, the U.S.A. and China are also at the forefront.
Forty-nine percent of respondents do not consider that a bigger involvement of the private sector in space business would facilitate the pace of space exploration. The number of those who say that an increase of private space companies would lead to a breakthrough is considerably lower (29% across the sample). At the same time, young respondents see more potential than older generations: the share is from 56% to 19% in different age groups (persons aged 18-60+).
Half of respondents (48%) believe that in the next 100 years people will reach Mars; 40% consider that Russia will be the first to do that.
More than a third of Russians (37%) think that within a century tourist space flights will become affordable. Today 26% of Russians are eager to fly to space (32% among men; 44% among the 18-24-year-olds).
Negative space-related scenarios seem hardly possible: only 5% of respondents are afraid that Sun will cool down in 100 years and Earth will be captivated by an alien civilization (however 23% consider a contact with extraterrestrial is possible).
Every third respondent (32%) says that the profession of cosmonaut is interesting to children/grandchildren; the number of enthusiasts has increased over a decade (from 23% in 2009).
The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 5-6 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The 2009 results are based on household survey.
In your opinion, what is Russia’s current position in space exploration? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Russia is the leader | 24 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 25 |
Russia is at the forefront along with other countries | 60 | 59 | 58 | 59 | 62 | 60 |
Russia is lagging behind other leading countries | 8 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
Don’t know | 8 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
What countries do you consider as the leaders in space exploration? Up to 3 countries can be mentioned. (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of all respondents, answers per line by at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Russia | 78 |
USA | 64 |
China | 45 |
Japan | 3 |
India | 1 |
France | 1 |
Germany | 1 |
Great Britain | 1 |
Korea | 1 |
Other countries | 2 |
Don’t know | 15 |
Today both state-owned and commercial companies conduct space research programs. Which of the following statements do you agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
An increase in the number of private space companies will lead to a breakthrough in the development of space industry in Russia | 29 | 56 | 40 | 30 | 24 | 19 |
An increase in the number of private space companies will not have any substantial impact on the pace of the development of the Russian space industry | 49 | 34 | 42 | 50 | 53 | 52 |
Don’t know | 22 | 10 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 29 |
In your opinion, what country will be the first to send mission to Mars? (open-ended, one answer, % of all respondents, answers per line by at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Russia | 40 |
USA | 13 |
China | 6 |
Joint international mission | 3 |
Ilon Mask | 1 |
No country, it is currently impossible | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Don’t know | 35 |
Today there is an opportunity to travel to space as tourist. Would you like to fly to space or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Likely yes | 26 | 32 | 21 | 44 | 32 | 29 | 21 | 19 |
Likely not | 72 | 65 | 77 | 56 | 67 | 68 | 76 | 78 |
I did not think about it/ Don’t know | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Would you like your child/grandchild to be a cosmonaut or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents) | ||
| 2009 | 2018 |
Likely yes | 23 | 32 |
Likely not | 65 | 59 |
Don’t know | 12 | 9 |
In your opinion, which of the following events can happen in the next 100 years? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of all respondents, answers per line by at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Mars mission landing | 48 |
Permanent Lunar base | 40 |
Extraction of natural resources on other planets | 39 |
Cheap space tourism | 37 |
Mission from Earth’s surface to the closest stars | 25 |
Extraterrestrial contact | 23 |
The fall of a giant meteorite on the Earth | 23 |
Space hotels in Earth's orbit | 22 |
War between the states in space | 21 |
Human relocation to another planet | 11 |
Occupation of Earth by alien civilization | 5 |
Sun will cool down | 5 |
None of the above mentioned will happen | 4 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 8 |
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!