Specialists of the All-Russian Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) conducted a survey of Russians in order to find out their attitude towards Russian cosmonautics. The survey has been conducted every two years since 1999.
According to the results of the survey, more than half of Russians believe that the country retains its leading position in cosmonautics (57 per cent; the maximum point was in 2017, 65 per cent). Half of the country’s residents are confident that Russia will occupy a leading position in cosmonautics in 10 years (50 per cent; maximum was in 2014 and 2017, 61 per cent). Nevertheless, more than half of respondents believe that space researches should be conducted jointly with other countries (55 per cent versus 35 per cent for independent work).
Most Russians consider it important for themselves personally that Russia occupies a leading position in cosmonautics (62 per cent versus 36 per cent of those who do not care). In addition, most Russians think that more funds should be allocated for space exploration (38 per cent versus 24 per cent of those who think otherwise and 16 per cent of those who claim it should remain on the same level). Despite the fact that only 18 per cent of Russians wanted to become cosmonauts in their childhood, 35 per cent of those surveyed would already agree to become a space tourist.
Finally, most of the respondents believe that sooner or later humanity will begin to explore other planets and create settlements there (67 per cent versus 21 per cent of those who do not believe in this). Among those who do believe, most expect such events to happen in 30-50 years (90 per cent), as well as in 10-20 (14 per cent), or even in 100 (14 per cent). The majority of Russians (65 per cent and 55 per cent in 2008) sum up that space exploration, in general, has brought people more good than bad (13 per cent voted for negative now and 20 per cent in 2008).
Ru-Main, 13.04.2021
