More than 60% of Russians believe country retains leading position in space exploration - poll

MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax) - Almost two thirds (63%) of Russians have said their country remains a leader in space exploration, according to the findings of a poll by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) which were published on its website on Thursday.

This view is most common (at 69%) among those over 60, the findings said.

A fifth (21%) of respondents said the opposite; their proportion among those aged 18-30 is 31%, the pollster said.

One in six (16%) could not answer the question, it said.

Almost half of respondents (46%) said funding for space exploration should be increased, with those aged 46-60 accounting for 53% of such respondents, FOM said.

Eighteen per cent said spending for this purpose should be decreased; 27% of those who hold this opinion were under 30, it said.

Thirteen per cent said funding for space programs should remain at the same level, and almost a quarter (23%) were undecided on the matter, the pollster said.

The poll was conducted among 1,500 respondents aged 18 and over in 104 towns and cities across 53 Russian regions on April 5-7, 2024.