Print This Page Email This Page See Most Sent

Even more — eight in 10 — also say that, despite the loss, the United States should continue the manned shuttle program. That's almost precisely the level of continued support for the program that followed its last disaster, the loss of the Challenger in 1986.

One reason is a broad perception that the space program brings the country enough benefits to justify its costs. Now 65 percent say that's the case, up substantially from 47 percent in 1994.

People who think the Columbia accident could have been avoided are somewhat less likely to think the costs of the space program are justified, though a majority still does — 55 percent, compared to 70 percent of those who call the accident unavoidable.

Is the U.S. Space Program Beneficial Compared to Its Costs?
Date	Yes	No	No Opinion
Feb. 9, 2003	65	29	5
July 9, 1997	60	38	2
Jan. 21, 1996	56	36	8
July 17, 1994	47	47	7

And even among those who blame avoidable errors, 74 percent favor continuing the program.

Should the U.S. Continue Its Manned Shuttle Program?
Date	Should	Should Not	No Opinion
Feb. 9, 2003	78	18	3
Feb. 12, 1986	83	16	1
Jan. 28, 1986	79	16	5

Better-educated Americans are more likely to think the space program's benefits pay off — 76 percent say so, compared to 58 percent of people with no more than a high-school diploma. Similarly, people with college degrees are 12 points more likely to want to continue manned space exploration.

Was the Shuttle Accident Unavoidable or Due to Errors?
Date	Unavoidable	Due to Errors	No Opinion
Feb. 9, 2003	64	28	7

Methodology

This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Feb. 6-9 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Field work was done by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

Previous ABCNEWS polls can be found in our PollVault.