More Americans view monitoring climate or asteroids as top NASA priorities than do so for sending astronauts to the moon or Mars % of U.S. adults who say each should be a
Americans see priorities other than a moon or Mars landing as more pressing for NASA. About six-in-ten (63%) say one of the organization’s top priorities should be using space to monitor key parts of Earth’s climate system. About four-in-ten or more said other top priorities should include conducting basic scientific research to increase knowledge of space (47%) and developing technologies that could be adapted for other uses (41%).
More Americans view monitoring climate or asteroids  | as top NASA priorities than do so for sending  | astronauts to the moon or Mars  | % of U.S. adults who say each should be a  | for NASA  | Top priority  | Important but lower priority  | Not too important/; "should not be done  | Monitor key parts of the Earth's  | 63  | 25  | 11  | climate system  | Monitor asteroids/objects that  | 62  | 29  | could hit Earth  | Conduct basic scientific research  | 47  | 40  | 12  | to increase knowledge of space  | Develop technologies that could  | 41  | 44  | 14  | be adapted for fother uses  | Conduct research on how space  | 38  | 41  | 20  | travel affects human health  | Search for graw materials/natural  | 34  | 43  | 22  | resources for juse on Earth  | Search for life and planets that  | 42  | 31  | 27  | could support life  | Send astronauts to Mars  | 18  | 45  | 37  | Send astronauts to the moon  | 13  | 42  | 44  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer ware 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 