Brussels, 25/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - One European out of two uses a navigation system and, as a result, Europeans are increasingly aware and positive about European space activities. Over half of all Europeans (57% in 2012) are aware of Galileo, the European GPS system, according to a Eurobarometer study published on 25 September. Europeans rate space activities highly in general (81%); which is why European Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani, who was speaking at the European Space Expo in Brussels on Tuesday 25 September, said: “This survey acknowledges the importance that space has for European citizens and it supports the EU's involvement in this domain. So despite the current economic and financial turmoil our citizens are confident in our space initiatives”.
One third of Europeans believe that space activities should be focused on improving health, while another third takes the view that they should improve the comprehension of climate change. Nonetheless, they above all expect the European Union to set a space surveillance system in place to manage disasters and mitigate the effects of climate change (77%), or prevent the collision of satellites or space debris (74%). Six Europeans out of 10 are even said to be in favour of a space exploration programme using humans or robots. (MD/transl.jl)