Lack of awareness drives fear with Gen-Z more out of touch with the realities of space compared to ‘Space Age’ generation
Across all ages, 1 in 3 globally ‘excited’ about space, with 1 in 9 ‘terrified’, and 1 in 5 ‘nervous’; 97 per cent see space as a threat, with space junk and climate change main concerns
The world is largely unaware of key activities in space, with Gen-Z twice as likely to associate space with aliens, Star Wars and billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos than older generations, according to the largest representative survey of global consumer attitudes towards space[1], unveiled by Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications.
The report, ‘What on Earth is the value of space?’, found that those aged 65 and above, who were teenagers when humans first walked on the Moon, are more optimistic and hopeful than Gen-Z. They are more likely to associate space with research and exploration, rockets, and satellites – with their understanding of space more rooted in science than science-fiction.
Only a quarter of the public (23 per cent) said they feel space exploration is ‘important’. Almost half (46 per cent) consider satellites when thinking of space, while 37 per cent think of expeditions to the Moon and Mars, 21 per cent think of aliens, and almost 1 in 10 think of Star Wars (9 per cent). Fewer than 1 in 10 people globally think of communications and connectivity.
This focus on Hollywood rather than Halley’s Comet fuels how respondents feel about space. Only a third of people feel ‘excited’ about space (34 per cent), while 18 per cent feel nervous – just 38 per cent wish they knew more about ‘up there’. A quarter (24 per cent) of people feel ‘overwhelmed’ by space, which comes as no real surprise with films like Don’t Look Up recently capturing the public consciousness.
Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat, said: “This report should be a wake-up call for our industry. Space appears to be underappreciated and misunderstood in the real-world. In many respects, the knowledge we possess as a society is inaccurate and incomplete.
“Space can enable a better way of living for all on Earth, but public support will make or break this vital contribution to a better future. Space needs a new narrative, and it is time for us to define its value to the world. Global communities are united by their fear of uncontrolled satellite debris, falling asteroids and environmental damage. Having come so far, we cannot afford to destroy the gift of space through poor stewardship, fear, ignorance or inaction. Sustainability on Earth cannot exist without sustainability in space. Responsible space exploration and stricter regulation is a must.”
People’s ambitions for space centre around solving some of our major challenges on Earth – finding new energy sources, essential resources, and helping solve climate change. However, this does not yet counteract our fears – as 97 per cent of the global population feel space is a threat.
This concern is reflected in the fact that 1 in 9 people are ‘terrified’ of what could happen in space – with space junk and collisions in orbit (47 per cent), pollution (39 per cent), and damaging the Earth’s atmosphere (35 per cent) seen as the top threats. Older people are more worried about space junk, while younger generations fear the environmental impact most. It is clear that the positive impact of space is not being appreciated fully by the public.
Recent space industry entrants are more optimistic about what space offers. Close to half of respondents in China believe space can provide a new source for essential resources versus a third globally, while 6 in 10 South Koreans think space can be the key to new energy sources, while half of those polled in the UAE see space as a way to help solve climate change.
When it comes to the UK, almost half (42 per cent) of Brits are worried about space junk and collisions in space; 32 per cent fear space activity damaging the Earth’s atmosphere and 14 percent of British residents are concerned we may end up polluting space. Only 7 per cent of UK residents – the lowest score among the surveyed nations – want to work in the space industry (versus 14 per cent globally); 31 per cent (versus 32 per cent globally) are hopeful about the possibilities of space; a quarter (26 per cent vs 38 per cent globally) wish they knew more about space and a quarter (26 per cent versus 34 per cent globally) feel excited about what could happen in space.
[1] The largest independent global representative consumer survey of attitudes towards space included 20,000 respondents (18-65+ years of age) across the UK (3,000), US (2,000), Brazil (2,000), Canada (2,000), Germany (2,000), Australia (2,000), China (2,000), India (2,000), South Korea (1,000), Japan (1,000) and UAE (1,000). The study was conducted by Yonder Consulting in April 2022 on behalf of Inmarsat.
What on Earth is the value of space?
When you stare up at the night sky, does it ever cross your mind to ask how that vast expanse affects your life here on Earth? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably no. It’s a question too seldom asked – and too often left unanswered. Which is why Inmarsat commissioned the most in-depth research ever carried out on global perceptions of space.
Taking in 20,000 respondents across 11 countries, it provides a comprehensive snapshot of global attitudes to space. The report also features some fascinating contributions from renowned figures in the sector. From the former astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, Scott Kelly – to the Director General of the European Space Agency, Dr. Josef Aschbacher.
The research findings mark a real wake-up call for the space industry. It’s clear that people have a low understanding of the breadth and richness of the work being done in space today. Perhaps because the technology deployed is essentially invisible, people do not appear to understand the role space is already playing in their everyday lives, nor its potential to deliver a brighter future for our planet.
People are losing sight of the role space plays in their daily lives
Among the many questions addressed in the report, people were asked what they associate with space. The findings show 21% of people associate space with ‘aliens’, 14% with ‘science fiction’ and 10% with ‘Star Wars’ – compared with just 8% for ‘communications & connectivity’ and 3% for ‘broadcasting & television’. This suggests that perceptions are being shaped more by popular culture – and less by the true role space plays in today’s economy.
There’s a clear generational divide
The report shows younger people (18–24) are more likely to link billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk with space than 55–64-year-olds. Perhaps this is because people aged 55+ remember the Space Race, NASA’s shuttle programme and all the wonder attached to space at that time. Whereas 18-24-year-olds have grown up associating technological innovation with the internet and are more likely to follow billionaires like Musk and Bezos on social media.
“The lack of awareness on communications satellites surprises me. 29% of respondents said they don’t view them as essential. Plainly they don’t realise how the voice and data systems they rely on actually operate.”
People have high hopes for space
The research highlights a small core of people globally who are aware of the potential for space to answer many of the world’s challenges. For example, 7% of respondents said that space can alleviate poverty. While another 7% thought space can support the goal of producing enough food to feed our growing population. 11% imagined space will have a role in researching and finding cures for diseases like cancer.
People seem to be pinning their hopes on space to solve many of our problems here on Earth. But that optimism doesn’t appear to be based on a strong understanding of the role that space can and is already playing in areas such as scientific research and exploration.
They are also worried about the future of space
The report demonstrates that people are nervous about what could happen in space – some even feel terrified. Globally, people consider these as the three biggest concerns about the future of space.
Clearly people see space junk as the number one threat. They worry that space will eventually be subject to the same pollution and exploitation that has occurred on Earth – with drastic consequences for both.
These worries are well founded. As Inmarsat’s CEO, Rajeev Suri, explains in his introduction to the report, for space to support sustainability on Earth there needs to be sustainable development in space. The myriad of low Earth orbit mega-constellations now being built present an opportunity but without proper oversight, they will create a massive amount of space debris. Not to mention the issue of orbital congestion or even the possibility of damaging the Earth’s atmosphere. Such risks must be properly understood and addressed through robust and enforceable regulation.
“We chose to commission this report because we believe space needs to occupy a far greater share of the public consciousness. Both the magnificent possibilities and the potential risks.”
Explore the full story
Download the full report to discover more of the global demographic and cultural differences around space, the differing perceptions between countries, as well as business leaders versus the general public. And more importantly, understand how the data convincingly proves the following conclusions:
- The digital generation has benefitted from technological advances that were by-products of the first Space Age. However, these innovations are so embedded in everyday life that they’re taken for granted.
- The second Space Age has arrived, but the public are not wholly aware of its significance. Astonishing innovations in recent years are not welcomed with the sense of wonder, curiosity and hunger for knowledge that accompanied the first Space Age.
- Space is attracting huge amounts of investment. We need to ensure that investment goes into activities that will improve the lives of everyone on the planet.
- There is a widespread concern for the future of space, and a public desire for the principles of sustainable development to be applied in space, as they are on Earth.
These insights are just a small fraction of the information available in the research. To explore the full story, click below to download the comprehensive report.
