Space program breeds concern for environment

Three out of 4 Americans say the space program should play an important role in key areas of national life - education, health research, and the environment, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the Space Awareness Alliance.

Two out of 3 Americans have a very favorable opinion of space exploration, it found. The survey of 1,000 registered voters also revealed that 74 percent think space technology and research should be used for educational purposes in classrooms. Only 4 percent said it was not important.

Americans are similarly bullish on the relationship of space exploration to another issue of national importance - the environment. Seventy four percent of respondents agreed that the US space industry should use technology and space research to help protect the environment. People in the west (78 percent) and under the age of 35 (79 percent) were most vocal in their support.