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Space Exploration

Topics at a Glance

Issue Brief

Shuttle launch image

Fly Me to the Moon - The Public and NASA

On March 3, 1915, the U.S. government established the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA. In 1958, NACA became NASA.

That’s One Giant Leap for NASA

Related Data

NASA seal

NASA Programs and Spending

This survey, conducted by Market Opinion Research for Rockwell International in 1990, features extensive questions about the NASA budget, manned space missions, the importance of having a space program, and other NASA related topics.  Explore the questions from the U.S. Civilian Space Program Poll in iPOLL.Date Published: June 29, 1999

Charts & graphics

Public’s Rating of NASA
Public support for space shuttle program post-Challenger
Pluto
Sputnik