97% Of Americans Support NASA's Artemis — Despite $90 Billion Cost

New research shows the Artemis 2 mission has brought Americans together, with most viewing space exploration as a worthwhile national investment.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:06pm

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones depicting sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, representing the complex scientific forces and concepts behind NASA's Artemis program to return to the moon.The Artemis program's ambitious plans to return humans to the moon have captured the imagination of the American public, despite the program's high price tag.San Diego Today

A new survey from consumer insights platform Ideally reveals that 97% of Americans support NASA's Artemis program, despite its estimated $90 billion cost. The Artemis 2 mission, which recently splashed down off the coast of San Diego, has done something the internet rarely manages: bring Americans together. The survey suggests that Americans are broadly aligned behind the goals of the Artemis program, viewing space exploration as a worthwhile national investment despite ongoing debates over government spending.

Why it matters

The strong public support for the Artemis program, even with its high price tag, highlights the enduring appeal of space exploration and NASA's ability to capture the public's imagination. The survey data suggests that the Artemis missions have the potential to serve as a unifying force in a politically divided time, providing a rare moment of collective positivity and national pride.

The details

The survey found that only 3.1% of respondents expressed concerns over the cost of the Artemis program. Additionally, 65% of Americans said following the Artemis 2 mission felt different from their usual online experience, with nearly one-third describing it as a unifying moment. The public was highly engaged, with 71% aware of Artemis 2 and 20% actively following the mission's livestreams.

  • Artemis 1 – Uncrewed test flight that successfully orbited the moon and returned to Earth (completed in 2022)
  • Artemis 2 – First crewed mission, flying astronauts around the moon (completed 2026)
  • Artemis 3 – Planned mission to test docking with SpaceX/Blue Origin lunar lander in Earth orbit ahead of a lunar landing (expected 2027)
  • Artemis 4 – Expected to deliver astronauts to the moon's surface, targeting the south pole (expected 2028–2029)
  • Artemis 5 – A follow-up mission aimed at expanding lunar exploration capabilities (expected 2029–2030)

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Ideally

A consumer insights platform that conducted the survey on public support for the Artemis program.

Josh Nu'u-Steele

The co-founder of Ideally, who commented on the survey findings.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to use our platform to show, in real-time, how unique a moment the Artemis II mission was for Americans.”

— Josh Nu'u-Steele, Co-founder of Ideally

What’s next

The Artemis program will continue its step-by-step return to the moon, with Artemis 3 planned to test docking with a lunar lander in Earth orbit ahead of a lunar landing expected in 2028-2029.

The takeaway

The strong public support for the Artemis program, despite its high cost, demonstrates the enduring appeal of space exploration and NASA's ability to capture the public's imagination. The Artemis missions have the potential to serve as a unifying force, providing a rare moment of collective positivity and national pride in a politically divided time.