The Czechs believe in the importance of space activities: they support space research and the missio

The participation of a Czech astronaut on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is strongly supported by the Czech public. According to the latest Ipsos opinion poll commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, almost 70% of respondents believe it is important for the Czech Republic to actively support space missions and send its own astronaut into space. A similar number of Czechs also believe that this mission could inspire young people to study engineering and science. More than a thousand respondents answered.

 

The participation of a Czech astronaut on the ISS opens a unique opportunity not only for science but also for the Czech space industry. Involvement in space research is a unique opportunity for Czech companies and scientific institutions to participate in cutting-edge experiments with very high added value. This aspect is also important for the Czech public, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos.
 
The survey showed that four out of five Czechs would consider a Czech astronaut's trip to space to be meaningful if the astronaut was conducting scientific experiments with benefits for medicine, new technologies or environmental protection. These aspects of space travel are most appreciated by young people aged 18 to 26 and those with secondary or higher education. Almost 80% of respondents said that sending a Czech astronaut to the ISS would increase the prestige of the Czech Republic on the international scene.
"By engaging in cutting-edge experiments and technological projects, we gain valuable know-how, strengthen our competitiveness and open the door to global markets for the Czech Republic. I am convinced that space activities will help not only science and innovation, but also the entire domestic industry," says Václav Kobera, Director of the Department of Space Activities and New Technologies of the Ministry of Transport and coordinator of the national project Czech Journey to Space.
 
The mission of the Czech astronaut is a key pillar of the Czech Journey to Space project which links education and popularisation of science with the development of the Czech space industry. This strengthens the Czech Republic's position among global players in top technologies and innovation. The current Czech member of the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut reserve team is Aleš Svoboda, an army fighter pilot who is currently undergoing astronaut training.
"Aleš Svoboda is evidence that the Czech Republic has its place in the field of manned spaceflight and space exploration. His selection to the ESA astronaut team is his personal success but also a great success for the Czech Republic. This is a really strong impulse for the development of the Czech space sector. Its further strengthening starts with the motivation of the new generation. Young people are our future and it is crucial that we get them interested in technology and science. I am glad that the majority of the Czech population also perceives it this way," says transport minister Martin Kupka, under whose ministry space activities fall.
 
The survey also showed that more than 70% of respondents perceive an investment in the participation of a Czech astronaut on a space mission as beneficial, especially if it would be partly financed by international grants or support the development of new technologies with commercial applications. This opinion is more often shared by men and people with secondary and higher education. The perception of the benefits is relatively balanced across all age groups, which shows that support for strategic investment in the space sector is widespread in Czech society.
"The Ipsos survey revealed that interest in Czech space activities and missions to the ISS is high across Czech society. The Czech Republic thus has a unique opportunity to made use of this interest to promote science, technology and education for future generations," said minister Kupka. 
 
About the survey:
The survey was to determine the attitude of the Czech public towards the participation of a Czech astronaut on the ISS mission and other space activities of the Czech Republic.
Date of data collection: 6-9 January 2025
Sample size: N=1027                           
Target group: Representative sample of the Czech population aged 18-65 years