Space exploration.(Opinion Pulse)

When Americans are asked about the country's greatest achievement in the twentieth century, space exploration is mentioned most often. People see the space program as a source of scientific advances from which all Americans benefit. Eighty-five percent say our efforts in space contribute to the country's pride and patriotism.

Question: What would you say ...?

 
America's greatest 
achievement during the 
twentieth century is 
 
Space exploration/ 
   Man on the moon   18% 
 
        Technology   12 
 
         Computers    7 
 
     Medical care/ 
     breakthroughs    7 
 
Note: Categories 
registering less than 7 
percent not shown. In 
a separate question, 
when asked about 
"the U.S. government's 
greatest achievement," 
14 percent, the top 
response, mentioned 
the space program. 
 
Source: Pew Research Center for the 
People & the Press April-May 1999 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 

Question: I'm going to read you a list of some changes that have taken place over the last 100 years. Please tell me if ...

 
Space exploration 
has been a change 
   for the better   72% 
 
       Change for 
        the worse    6 
 
      Hasn't made 
  much difference   17 
 
Source: Pew Research Center for the 
People & the Press April-May 1999 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 

Question: In your opinion, how much does the U.S. space program contribute to ...?

 
Scientific advances that all Americans can use 
 
Some          45% 
A lot         35% 
Not much      13% 
None at all    1% 
Don't know     6% 
 
CBS News, February 2003. 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart. 
 
National pride and patriotism 
 
A lot         54% 
Some          31% 
Not much       9% 
None at all    2% 
Don't know     4% 
 
CBS News, February 2003. 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart.