Space policy responsiveness: The relationship between public opinion and NASA funding

On the problem of astronomy and popular prejudices: the case of ancient astronomers and NASA funding

“…Subsequent studies have suggested that public opinion fluctuates. For example, Steinberg (2011) suggests that public support after the Apollo program remained low. However, the advent of the Space Shuttle and a space station-another presidential initiative-brought space policy back into the American consciousness (Steinberg, 2011).…”

“…For example, Steinberg (2011) suggests that public support after the Apollo program remained low. However, the advent of the Space Shuttle and a space station-another presidential initiative-brought space policy back into the American consciousness (Steinberg, 2011). Moreover, unlike the Apollo program, the space station had a "potential for business opportunities" involving private corporations (Steinberg, 2011, p. 242).…”

“…Moreover, unlike the Apollo program, the space station had a "potential for business opportunities" involving private corporations (Steinberg, 2011, p. 242). As a result, the argument continues, NASA saw "renewed growth in its budget during the late 1980s" (Steinberg, 2011). Nonetheless, according to Steinberg, it is unclear if this was the result of positive public opinion or "yet another example of government action regardless of public opinion" (Steinberg, 2011).…”

“…As a result, the argument continues, NASA saw "renewed growth in its budget during the late 1980s" (Steinberg, 2011). Nonetheless, according to Steinberg, it is unclear if this was the result of positive public opinion or "yet another example of government action regardless of public opinion" (Steinberg, 2011). This contradictory evidence leads Steinberg to conclude that the various American administrations are giving the people what they want.…”

Separation of church and space: Religious influences on public support for U.S. space exploration policy

“…[42]); Jones, Yeoman, and Cockell [43], who analyzed school children; Joyce, Ferguson, and Weinstein [44], who studied teenagers and members of space advocacy groups; and Raitt et al [34], who studied worldwide "space expectations" in many countries but relied on an opportunistic rather than probability sample. Research that has relied on nationally representative samples, such as the biennial U.S. General Social Survey (GSS) [45], have typically presented descriptive analyses of public support over time and done little to analyze the individual determinants of public opinion [36,37,46].…”