Many Americans are confident that private space companies will be profitable but skeptical they will keep space clean of debris % ofU.S. adults who say they have Not too much confidence
Americans have little confidence that private space companies will minimize space debris. Just 13% of Americans say they have a great deal of confidence that private space companies will minimize the amount of human-made space debris that they put into Earth’s orbit – including fragments of rockets, satellites and other human-made objects. About half (51%) of Americans say they have not too much or no confidence at all that private companies will minimize the debris they create.
Many Americans are confident that private space  | companies will be profitable but skeptical they will  | keep space clean of debris  | % ofU.S. adults who say they have  | that private space companies will  | A great deal of confidence  | a fair amount of confidence  | Not too much confidence  | No confidence at all  | Make a profit for their  | 44  | 36  | 14  | companies  | Buil ld safe and reliable  | 26  | 51  | 17  | 5  | rockets and spacecraft  | Control costs for developing  | 24  | 26  | 41  | 9  | rockets and spacecraft  | Conduct basic research to  | 23  | 47  | 22  | increase knowledge of space  | Minimize human-made  | 13  | 35  | 38  | 13  | space debris  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.  | Source: Survey conducted March 27-April 9, 2018  | "Majority of Americans Believe It Is Essential That the U.S. Remain a Global Leader in Space  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 