À la demande de l’Agence spatiale européenne (ESA) Toluna-Harris Interactive a interrogé les habitants des 22 pays membres de l’ESA

1. A study
for
Europeans and space activities
How do Europeans perceive issues related to space?
Jean-Daniel Lévy, Director of the Opinion & Politics Department
Julien Potéreau, Research Director at the Opinion & Politics Department
Diane Lamotte, Research Executive at the Opinion & Politics Department
October 2022

2. Study methodology
2
22 countries
 Study carried out online between 25 September – 6 October 2022.
• Sample of 21,366 Europeans comprising 22 representative samples of the national population aged 18 or over
in each of the following countries:
Representativeness is ensured by the quota method and an adjustment applied to the following
variables: gender, age, employment and region of residence of respondents in each country. Each
country was given a weighting to reflect the impact of its domestic market within the overall sample.
For the purposes of this document, the term “Europeans” refers to inhabitants of the 22 countries
covered by this study. The results obtained in the different countries are represented by flags.
Evolutions refer to the previous studies carried out in 2018 and 2019 in five countries (France, Germany,
Italy, The United Kingdom and Spain) and mark evolution superior or equal to 3 points.
Austria: 1 011 people Ireland: 1 005 people
Belgium: 1 119 people Luxembourg: 490 people
Czech Republic: 1 023 people Netherlands: 1 008 people
Denmark: 1 009 people Norway: 1 008 people
Estonia: 529 people Poland: 1 049 people
Finland: 1 007 people Portugal: 1 000 people
France: 1 030 people Romania: 1 010 people
Germany: 1 006 people Spain: 1 025 people
Greece: 1 099 people Sweden: 1 004 people
Hungary: 1 011 people Switzerland: 597 people
Italy: 1 059 people United Kingdom: 1 267 people

3. Perception of the purpose of space activities

4. 4
In your opinion, do space activities today allow us to...?
- To all, in % -
53
42
39
38
37
35
30
28
26
25
21
38
44
45
46
45
46
44
46
46
43
46
7
11
13
13
14
15
20
21
23
24
26
2
3
3
3
4
4
6
5
5
8
7
Further our knowledge of the universe
Facilitate transport systems (satellite navigation i.e. GPS)
Develop communication means (telephone networks, internet, 5G,
etc.)
Have a better understanding of what is happening on Earth
Explore the solar system with robots
Identify the effects of climate change
Explore the solar system with manned flights (i.e. with a human
crew)
Identify the causes of climate change
Protect space infrastructure against threats in outer space (space
debris, solar flares, etc.)
Protect mankind against threats from outer space (asteroids, etc.)
Have independent access to outer space, for the countries
involved
Yes, definitely Yes, somewhat No, not really No, not at all
91
86
84
84
82
81
74
74
72
68
67
Yes
Space activities are mostly perceived as enabling better knowledge of the universe (91%) and bringing improvements in
transport and communication on Earth. They are less seen as allowing independent access to outer space for the
countries involved

5. 5
More specifically, from what you know about them or the idea that you have about them, how effective are the space activities carried out in Europe in
enabling us to…?
- To all, in % -
28
28
27
25
24
22
23
19
20
17
16
53
53
53
52
49
49
47
49
45
47
45
15
15
16
18
21
23
23
25
26
27
30
4
4
4
5
6
6
7
7
9
9
9
Further our knowledge of the universe
Facilitate transport systems (satellite navigation i.e. GPS)
Develop communication means (telephone networks, internet, 5G,
etc.)
Have a better understanding of what is happening on Earth
Identify the effects of climate change
Explore the solar system with robots
Identify the causes of climate change
Protect space infrastructure against threats in outer space (space
debris, solar flares, etc.)
Protect mankind against threats from outer space (asteroids, etc.)
Explore the solar system with manned flights (i.e. with a human
crew)
Have independent access to outer space, for the countries
involved
Very effective Somewhat effective Somewhat ineffective Not at all effective
81
81
80
77
73
71
70
68
65
64
61
Effective
The majority of respondents think that space activities are effective, particularly regarding knowledge of the
universe (81%), facilitation of transport systems (81%) and communication means (80%)

6. For almost 9 in 10 Europeans, priority should be given to collecting insights on climate change and to fostering the
understanding of what is happening on Earth
6
In the future, do you believe that priority should be given or not to space activities that allow us to...?
- To all, in % -
50
49
44
42
37
41
33
32
29
22
20
36
37
42
42
45
39
47
45
43
43
41
10
10
11
12
14
15
16
18
22
27
29
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
5
6
8
10
Identify the effects of climate change
Identify the causes of climate change
Have a better understanding of what is happening on Earth
Further our knowledge of the universe
Protect space infrastructure against threats in outer space (space
debris, solar flares, etc.)
Protect mankind against threats from outer space (asteroids, etc.)
Facilitate transport systems (satellite navigation i.e. GPS)
Develop communication means (telephone networks, internet, 5G,
etc.)
Explore the solar system with robots
Explore the solar system with manned flights (i.e. with a human
crew)
Have independent access to outer space, for the countries
involved
High priority given Some priority given Not much priority given No priority given
86
86
86
84
82
80
80
77
72
65
61
Priority

7. European space autonomy

8. 8
European countries currently collaborate with each other in their space activities. Personally, do you believe that this collaboration of European countries in these activities is
a good or bad thing...?
45
42
39
39
36
47
47
48
47
46
6
9
10
11
14
2
2
3
3
4
In general
For innovation in Europe
For economic and industrial development in Europe
For peace in Europe
For creating a strong space power independent of the United
States of America, Russia, etc.
A very good thing A somewhat good thing A somewhat bad thing A very bad thing
92
89
87
86
82
A good thing
- To all, in % -
A large majority of respondents think that space activities globally are a good thing. In detail, Europeans first
mention innovation (89%) and economic development (87%)

9. 9
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements ?
33
35
49
46
14
16
4
3
The pooling of European space activities should enable European
countries to compete against the major space powers (United
States of America, Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
European space activities should be independent of decisions
made by other major powers (United States of America, Russia,
China, India, Brazil, etc.)
Completely agree
Mostly agree
Mostly disagree
Completely disagree
82
81
Agree
- To all, in % -
8 in 10 respondents agree that European countries should be able to compete against major space powers and
should be independent of their competitors’ decisions

10. 10
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements ?
- To all, in % of « Agree » -
DETAILS
5 countries
84 83 81 85 87 83
70 69 71 79 71
62
5 countries FR GER IT SP UK
+14 +14 +10 + 6 +16 +21
81 81 80 84 81 81
64 66 70 64 58 61
5 countries FR GER IT SP UK
+17 +15 +10 + 20 +23 +20
The pooling of European space activities should enable European countries to compete against the major space powers
(United States of America, Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
European space activities should be independent of decisions made by other major powers
(United States of America, Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
Among the five initial countries of the barometer, the wish for pooling and independence of European
space activities has significantly increased since the last wave
Evolutions refer to the wave 2 (2019)
2019
2022

11. 11
More specifically, how important do you consider the independence of European space activities compared to other major space powers (United States of America, Russia, China,
India, Brazil, etc.), in the following areas...?
47
38
37
33
42
47
47
47
9
12
13
16
2
3
3
4
The ability of European countries to protect the confidentiality of
their citizens’ personal data, without depending on other powers
(United States of America, Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
The ability of European countries to send satellites and other
spacecraft into space, without depending on other space powers
(United States of America, Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
The ability of European countries to have their own space
infrastructure (launch sites, satellite systems, etc.) without
depending on other space powers (United States of America,
Russia, China, India, Brazil, etc.)
The ability of European countries to have a European space
vessel and organise their own manned flights without depending
on other powers (United States of America, Russia, China, India,
Brazil, etc.)
Very important
Somewhat important
Somewhat unimportant
Not at all important
89
85
84
80
Important
- To all, in % -
The independence of European space activities is globally seen as important whatever the concerned area,
especially the protection of citizens’ personal data

12. 12
More specifically, how important do you consider the independence of European space activities compared to other major space powers (United States of America, Russia, China,
India, Brazil, etc.), in the following areas...?
- To all, in % of « Important » -
The ability of European countries to…
DETAILS
5 countries
5 countries France Germany Italy Spain UK
2022 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022
protect the confidentiality of their
citizens’ personal data, without
depending on other powers
88 86 85 91 89 89
send satellites and other
spacecraft into space, without
depending on other space powers
84 83 82 87 88 85
have their own space
infrastructure without depending
on other space powers
84 84 80 88 86 85
have a European space vessel
and organise their own manned
flights without depending on other
powers
81 79 77 84 84 82
New item
+ 6
+ 9
+ 10
+ 6
+ 10
+ 9
+ 6
+10
+ 5
+ 7
+ 12
+ 8
+ 14
+14
+ 7
+12
Evolutions refer to the wave 2 (2019)
+10
Since 2019, the importance of European independence in space activities has strongly
increased
+ 8

13. 13
In your opinion, how important should Europe’s role be in each of the following space projects?
44
31
27
26
42
46
44
44
11
17
22
22
3
6
7
8
Cleaning up space debris in orbit around Earth
Organising a robotic exploration mission to Mars, to bring samples
back to Earth
Organising a new exploration mission with astronauts to the Moon
Organising an exploration mission with astronauts to Mars
Very important
Somewhat important
Somewhat unimportant
Not at all important
86
77
71
70
Important
- To all, in % -
If Europe is identified as an important actor for organising missions in outer space, cleaning up space debris in
orbit is seen as its top ability

14. 14
In your opinion, how important should Europe’s role be in each of the following space projects?
- To all, in % of « Important » -
DETAILS
5 countries
Since 2019, the importance of space missions has strongly increased
Evolutions refer to the wave 2 (2019)
5 countries France Germany Italy Spain UK
2022 2022 2022 2022 2022 2022
Cleaning up space debris in orbit
around Earth
84 84 81 88 85 86
Organising a robotic exploration
mission to Mars, to bring samples
back to Earth
76 74 73 84 75 78
Organising a new exploration
mission with astronauts to the
Moon
71 70 65 78 74 72
Organising an exploration mission
with astronauts to Mars
69 66 63 79 70 72
+18
+16
+19
+15 +14
+16 +15
+14
+19
+17
+21
+19
New item
+18 +20 +17 +17 +16 +22

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Contacts Harris Interactive :
• Jean-Daniel Lévy – Director of the Opinion & Politics Department - +33 1 44 87 60 30 - jdlevy@harrisinteractive.fr
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