ARLINGTON, Va. - The results of a series of three Gallup polls are the latest sign that Americans strongly support our nation's exploration of space, according to executives at the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA). Public support for space exploration reflects their belief that the benefits they receive from human space flight outweigh the risks. The polls show that more than 60% of the public is willing to continue to fund space activities at current or increased levels.

"That space exploration is increasingly popular with the American people should be no surprise," said EIA President & CEO Dave McCurdy. "Our space program is a critical investment in the essential knowledge that we need to better understand our own planet, the environment around us and even ourselves," McCurdy said. "That knowledge contributes directly to our education system, our economy, our global competitiveness and our nation's security."

Meeting the challenges of space exploration requires the development of solutions that will not only advance the state of human exploration but also have practical applications on Earth, which result in widespread benefits. Those benefits include a revitalization of math and science education, new technologies in medical care, telecommunications and aviation, protecting our homeland and our military forces, and adding to our personal safety.

EIA and GEIA, which represent a wide range of companies that support the U.S. space program, believe that a strong U.S. commitment to explore space will help advance the President's American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), a multi-pronged effort aimed at increasing U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace by increasing math and science educators and enhancing academic programs. "The space program can help inspire the next generation of graduates by providing them with interesting and exciting programs that can use their talents and creativity," predicted Dan Heinemeier, president of GEIA. "Our future in space will play a key role in America's future in the increasingly competitive world economy."

EIA and GEIA see the role of a strengthened space program as directly supporting the goals of a national innovation agenda, including the ACI. Some of the ACI's goals include grants for schools to implement research-based mathematics and science curricula, 100,000 highly-qualified math and science teachers by the year 2015, increased funding for innovation-enabling research at key federal agencies that support the physical sciences and engineering, and tax credits to encourage increased private sector investment in innovation.

The space program can also help inspire math and science education by training teachers and developing effective teaching materials, McCurdy and Heinemeier emphasized. The ACI will offer training opportunities to 800,000 workers each year, which EIA and GEIA believe will help ensure a revitalized and competitive U.S. workforce.

EIA and GEIA believe these polls show that Americans understand the value of space exploration and that it is an investment the nation can afford.

Contact Name: Larry Farnsworth
Contact Email: lfarnsworth@eia.org