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Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration (2014)

Chapter: Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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D

Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)

Version A of the stakeholder survey mail questionnaire is reprinted in this appendix.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
                OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Human Spaceflight Study

This survey is being conducted by the National Research Council of the National Academies as part of a request from Congress to review the U.S. human spaceflight program. The purpose of this study is to gather input from stakeholders and members of the scientific community. Your input will help the committee develop recommendations about the long-term goals and direction of NASA’s programs.

Before continuing, please know that your participation is voluntary. You may choose to skip any question or end the survey at any point. We will take all possible steps to protect your privacy and we can use your answers only for statistical research. This means that no individual will be identified in any of the analyses or reports from this study. The survey will take less than 20 minutes to complete.

NORC at the University of Chicago is conducting this study on behalf of the NRC. If you have any questions about your rights as a study participant, you may call the NORC Institutional Review Board, toll free, at 866-309-0542. Any other questions can be sent to the study’s email address: HumanSpaceflightStudy@norc.org.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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Human Spaceflight Study

The first question is about space exploration in general and the next question is about human space exploration.

1. What do you consider to be the main reasons for and against space exploration in general?

FOR: ______________________________

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AGAINST: _________________________

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2. What do you consider to be the main reasons for and against human space exploration?

FOR: ______________________________

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AGAINST: _________________________

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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3. Below are some reasons commonly given for space exploration. For each, please indicate whether you think it is a very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important reason for space exploration in general, and for human spaceflight in particular.

SPACE EXPLORATION IN GENERAL HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT
Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all
Expanding knowledge and scientific understanding 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Driving technological advances 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Extending human economic activity beyond Earth 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Paving the way for future settlements in space 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Paving the way for commercial space travel 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Creating opportunities for international cooperation 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Maintaining our national security 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Enhancing U.S. prestige 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, math and engineering 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Satisfying a basic human drive to explore new frontiers 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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If in question 3 you marked two or more reasons as very important for space exploration in general, please answer question 4. Otherwise go to question 5.

4. Enter a “1” in the box next to the reason you consider to be the most important for space exploration in general, and a “2” in the box next to the reason you consider to be the next most important for space exploration in general.

1 image Expanding knowledge and scientific understanding

2 image Driving technological advances

3 image Extending human economic activity beyond Earth

4 image Paving the way for future settlements in space

5 image Paving the way for commercial space travel

6 image Creating opportunities for international cooperation

7 image Maintaining our national security

8 image Enhancing U.S. prestige

9 image Inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, math and engineering

10 image Satisfying a basic human drive to explore new frontiers

 

If in question 3 you marked two or more reasons as very important for human spaceflight, please answer question 5. Otherwise go to question 6.

5. Enter a “1” in the box next to the reason you consider to be the most important for human spaceflight, and a “2” in the box next to the reason you consider to be the next most important for human spaceflight.

1 image Expanding knowledge and scientific understanding

2 image Driving technological advances

3 image Extending human economic activity beyond Earth

4 image Paving the way for future settlements in space

5 image Paving the way for commercial space travel

6 image Creating opportunities for international cooperation

7 image Maintaining our national security

8 image Enhancing U.S. prestige

9 image Inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, math and engineering

10 image Satisfying a basic human drive to explore new frontiers

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×

6. In your opinion, if NASA’s human spaceflight program was terminated, what, if anything, would be lost?
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7. Do you think that NASA should focus mainly or exclusively on human space flight, mainly or exclusively on robotic space exploration, or a combination of both?

1 ☐ Mainly or exclusively human spaceflight

2 ☐ Mainly or exclusively robotic space exploration

3 ☐ A combination of both human spaceflight and robotic space exploration

8. Do you think that NASA or the private sector should take the lead on each of the following activities over the next 20 years?

  NASA Private sector Neither
Space exploration for scientific research 1 2 3
Extending human economic activity beyond Earth 1 2 3
Space travel by private citizens 1 2 3
Establishing an off-planet human presence 1 2 3

9. Which of the following best describes your views on NASA human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit:

1 ☐ NASA should not conduct human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit

2 ☐ NASA should conduct human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit mainly or exclusively as U.S.-only missions

3 ☐ NASA should conduct human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit mainly or exclusively in collaboration with current international partners (such as ISS partners)

4 ☐ NASA should conduct human space exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit mainly or exclusively as part of an international collaboration that includes current partners as well as new and emerging space powers

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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10. Looking beyond the very near term, consider what goals a worthwhile and feasible U.S. human space exploration program might work toward over the next 20 years. How strongly do you favor or oppose the following options for NASA, bearing in mind that these are multi-year projects and the costs given are approximate overall costs.

  Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
LEAST EXPENSIVE (Tens of Billions)        
Continue with Low Earth Orbit flights to the International Space Station until 2020 1 2 3 4
Extend the International Space Station to 2028 1 2 3 4
Send humans to a Near-Earth asteroid in its native orbit 1 2 3 4
MORE EXPENSIVE (Hundreds of Billions)        
Return to the Moon and explore more of it with short visits 1 2 3 4
Establish outposts on the Moon 1 2 3 4
Conduct orbital missions to Mars to teleoperate robots on the surface 1 2 3 4
Land humans on Mars 1 2 3 4
MOST EXPENSIVE (Trillions)        
Establish a human presence (base) on Mars 1 2 3 4

11. How important is it for NASA to do each of the following over the next 20 years?

  Very important Somewhat important Not too important Not important at all
Maintain the International Space Station as a laboratory for scientific research 1 2 3 4
Make the investments necessary to sustain a vigorous program of human space exploration 1 2 3 4
Make the investments necessary to sustain a vigorous program of robotic space exploration 1 2 3 4
Limit human space exploration to Earth-orbit missions while maintaining robotic missions for exploring in and beyond the solar system 1 2 3 4
Maintain world leadership in human space exploration 1 2 3 4
Improve orbital technologies such as weather and communication satellites 1 2 3 4
Plan for a manned mission to Mars 1 2 3 4
Expand space exploration collaborations with other countries 1 2 3 4
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
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Now, we would like to ask a few questions about yourself.

12. Currently, how involved are you in space-related work?

1 ☐ Very involved

2 ☐ Somewhat involved

3 ☐ Not involved imageGo to question 14

13. How involved are you in work related to human spaceflight?

1 ☐ Very involved

2 ☐ Somewhat involved

3 ☐ Not involved

14. What is the highest degree you completed?

1 ☐ High school or some college

2 ☐ Bachelor’s degree

3 ☐ Master’s degree

4 ☐ Professional degree

5 ☐ Doctorate

15. In what year were you born?

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16. Are you male or female?

1 ☐ Male

2 ☐ Female

17. Are you currently employed?

1 ☐ Yes

2 ☐ No imageGo to question 19

18. Which of the following best describes your current job?

1 ☐ Postsecondary educator

2 ☐ Scientist in a non-teaching position

3 ☐ Engineer

4 ☐ Managerial or professional

5 ☐ Other, please specify

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19. Please use the space below for any further thoughts you might want to share on space exploration.
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Thank you for your time.
Please return the questionnaire in the
postage-paid envelope.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 193
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 194
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 195
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 196
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 197
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 198
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 199
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Stakeholder Survey Mail Questionnaire (Version A)." National Research Council. 2014. Pathways to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18801.
×
Page 200
Next: Appendix E: Frequency Distributions of Responses to the Stakeholder Survey by Respondent Group »
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The United States has publicly funded its human spaceflight program on a continuous basis for more than a half-century, through three wars and a half-dozen recessions, from the early Mercury and Gemini suborbital and Earth orbital missions, to the lunar landings, and thence to the first reusable winged crewed spaceplane that the United States operated for three decades. Today the United States is the major partner in a massive orbital facility - the International Space Station - that is becoming the focal point for the first tentative steps in commercial cargo and crewed orbital space flights. And yet, the long-term future of human spaceflight beyond this project is unclear. Pronouncements by multiple presidents of bold new ventures by Americans to the Moon, to Mars, and to an asteroid in its native orbit, have not been matched by the same commitment that accompanied President Kennedy's now fabled 1961 speech-namely, the substantial increase in NASA funding needed to make it happen. Are we still committed to advancing human spaceflight? What should a long-term goal be, and what does the United States need to do to achieve it?

Pathways to Exploration explores the case for advancing this endeavor, drawing on the history of rationales for human spaceflight, examining the attitudes of stakeholders and the public, and carefully assessing the technical and fiscal realities. This report recommends maintaining the long-term focus on Mars as the horizon goal for human space exploration. With this goal in mind, the report considers funding levels necessary to maintain a robust tempo of execution, current research and exploration projects and the time/resources needed to continue them, and international cooperation that could contribute to the achievement of spaceflight to Mars. According to Pathways to Exploration, a successful U.S. program would require sustained national commitment and a budget that increases by more than the rate of inflation.

In reviving a U.S. human exploration program capable of answering the enduring questions about humanity's destiny beyond our tiny blue planet, the nation will need to grapple with the attitudinal and fiscal realities of the nation today while staying true to a small but crucial set of fundamental principles for the conduct of exploration of the endless frontier. The recommendations of Pathways to Exploration provide a clear map toward a human spaceflight program that inspires students and citizens by furthering human exploration and discovery, while taking into account the long-term commitment necessary to achieve this goal.

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