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Evolving public perceptions of spaceflight in American cultureThere is a belief that exists in the United States about public support for NASA's activities. The belief is almost universally held that NASA and the cause of space exploration enjoyed outstanding public support and confidence in the 1960s during the era of Apollo and that public support waned in the post-Apollo era, only to sink to quite low depths in the decade of the 1990s. These beliefs are predicated on anecdotal evidence that should not be discounted, but empirical evidence gleaned from public opinion polling data suggest that some of these conceptions are totally incorrect and others are either incomplete or more nuanced than previously believed. This paper explores evolution of public support for space exploration since the 1960s. Using polling data from a variety of sources it presents trends over time and offers comments on the meaning of public perceptions for the evolution of space policy and the development of space exploration in the United States. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Document ID
20040093632
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Launius, R. D.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Acta astronautica
Volume: 53
Issue: 4-10
ISSN: 0094-5765
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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