We’re Going Back To The Moon And America Just Yawns
Keith’s note: We’re going back to the Moon in a big way. More things than ever are being sent into space. More people than ever before in history benefit from space technology. So … where’s the enthusiasm in the U.S.? Everyone else is excited. This INMARSAT report takes a deeper dive.
Despite Record Investment In Space, American Enthusiasm, Interest Waning, INMARSAT
“Investment in space in America shows no signs of slowing down, reaching almost $55 billion in government spending in 2021, with the private sector committing a further $23 billion in the US alone in the same year. Yet despite America’s long-time space supremacy, and ever-growing financial commitment, US citizens are not as enamoured by space as could be expected.
Research from Inmarsat found that just 1 in 10 US respondents are interested in working in the space sector, compared to 24% in India and 27% in Japan. Meanwhile, 39% are excited about what could happen in space, again fewer than in India (46%), which came out on top, and the UAE (43%).
Just a third of those living in the US are curious about what happens in space (35%) – compared to 54% of Brazilians, 48% of South Koreans, and 44% in China and the UAE – though this does rise to 44% among Gen-Z Americans.
What is clear is that newer entrants into the space race, despite significantly lower investment in the sector from both the public and private sectors, are seeing greater interest and enthusiasm from their citizens. India, for example, saw just $2 billion of public sector investment in 2021 – yet leads globally on excitement and interest in space and its citizens’ desire to work in the sector.”
Keith’s note: Just another example as to how NASA and the space commerce/policy/management/advocacy communities are simply missing the boat when it comes to what is important, who needs to know, who does not care (but maybe should), and how to reach them on their own terms – in their own words – in ways that resonate with their lives – and not with irrelevant NASA talking points flavored with an Apollo fetish.
Meanwhile the rest of humanity is increasingly space crazy. What is the rest of the world discovering about the utilization and exploration of space as we, the self-proclaimed “leader” of this whole space thing, no longer seem to care? This INMARSAT report is most revealing. Maybe someone at NASA might actually read it. Or not.
NASA, OSTP, NSpC, UAG, NAC Etc. Will Ignore This Report, earlier post
Keith’s earlier note: If NASA was actually in tune with what the public really thinks (as opposed to the slanted view that they imagine that the public has since everyone at NASA thinks space is great) then you’d see an ongoing adjustment in how NASA public Affairs, Education, and mission outreach efforts communicates. Instead, it is the same old stale approach that only transmits – but never listens. This is the basic take that this report from INMARSAT has on the public’s perception of the influence and importance of space in their daily lives – or lack thereof.
– A majority of people surveyed are unaware of ground-breaking things happening in space.
– 97% of people see space as a threat – with space junk and pollution the biggest perceived threats.
– 1 in 9 people are ‘terrified’ of what could happen in space – just 1 in 3 are excited or hopeful.
– Younger generations associate space more with science-fiction than science and they’re considerably more concerned and nervous about the impact of space on our lives.
– However, older generations are much more hopeful and optimistic about what space brings to life on Earth.
– Gen-Z is twice as likely to associate space with aliens, Star Wars and billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos than members of older generations.
6 responses to “We’re Going Back To The Moon And America Just Yawns”
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The U.S. desperately needs a leader who can reignite the American people’s passion for space.
Yeah bridenstine was always so enthusiastic when he talked. Nelson well he is no bridenstine and let’s leave it at that.
But beyond NASA administrator we need someone to tell the story of artemis to the public. Why should the public care about going back to the moon after so many decades? Do they understand how much has space impacted their everyday life? Plus all the delays with SLS and Orion has probably made the public cynical this launch while Pao says it is a few days away will it really happen?
Given the ineptitude of both Congress and NASA to actually design, build and launch anything of note in the past 20 years, that isn’t robotic, the complete lack of useful information with useful presentation, and NASA’s steadfast refusal to take a clue on marketing from SpaceX, it’s fairly easy to see why no one cares about a system that uses 50+ year old technology.
Those that care are looking to a backwater in Texas close to the Mexican border for Buck Rogers.
They’re busy worrying about the administration and Congress further mortgaging their children and grandchildren’s future.
Maybe most people don’t see what’s in it for them. Unlike Apollo that employed a lot more people, and it seemed to young people at the time they will eventually get to go to space as well. These days perception is those that will go into space are the very wealthy, for most people they are seeing costs of food and housing going up and up and up, and their wages will remain stagnant.
Of course don’t want to rush recklessly with wartime urgency but the length of time it takes to do something brand new, like launching a crew beyond LEO takes years and years. While it will be interesting the first time but like performing a magic trick on stage, the second time around doesn’t have the astonishing impact. However it takes time to create sustaining infrastructure and multi-year commitment. Can things be incrementally improved? That is a vehicle that can be improved over the years such as 737s flying these days are nothing like those first flown, and can use the same airports. Unlike Concorde was fixed in its design (can’t add high bypass engines).
I think lunar missions (with humans and robots) has to be some sort of economic development program (science is a difficult sell to make). Something in the sense of weather, comms, and recon satellites which are the vast majority of space activities that has on-going needs, objectives, and money. Very few are interested in lunar science, most want Mars and the outer planets. So far every attempt to put people back on the moon has failed because there never has been a viable reason to so, usually it is about so we can then go to Mars (so the old joke it will always be 20 years into the future). What may boost Artemis is what either Joe Scott or Simon Whistler said the driver may be a contest with the Chinese for moon bases.
The reason why old civilizations like India, Japan, China (if and when the survey is done there) and UAE etc are so enamored by Space is because to many people there, the Space connects them to the past, some mythological yet semi-historical stories, which are all stories that bring out the pleasures of romance. This is true of science in general also. So the curiosity factor remains very high and will remain so forever or at least for a long time, unless something is discovered that kills the romance. Going to Space, even vicariously, brings the other worldly dreams.
In Indian epic of Ramayana, there is a story of Rama, his brother, wife flying by an airplane named Pushpak Viman. In Mahabharat, there is mentions of Bhrambhastra, which sounds eerily like a nuclear weapon.
In this country in last 4-5 decades, Lockheeds and Boeings have treated it like a business, whereas it took an immigrant like Elon to instill romance back into Space. Space is humanity’s evolution now in a third dimension which we need to continue very badly. There are arguments that can be made, unencumbered by politics.