Europe’s space activities prized, and cheaper than thought

Europe’s citizens overwhelmingly have positive views of the bloc’s space-related activities and appreciate their benefits for research, according to the European Space Agency.

Ninety per cent of people who responded to a survey carried out for ESA and published on 16 January said that they have a positive view of space activities. Of these, 33 per cent reported having a “very positive” view and 57 per cent a “somewhat positive view”. Meanwhile, 9 per cent of respondents said they had a “somewhat negative” view, and 1 per cent said they had a “very negative” view.

People held positive views even though they overestimated the costs of European space activities more than tenfold. On average, respondents estimated the cost per person at €245, whereas in fact it is less than €20, according to ESA.