A recent survey conducted by the Mediacom.Expert PR agency, utilizing the online panel Surveyolog.ru, found that nearly half of Russian children aged 5 to 8 and about one-third of teenagers aged 14 to 17 express an aspiration to become astronauts. The findings were reviewed by socialbites.ca, providing a clear look at early interest in space careers.
When adults were asked what draws young people to space science, responses highlighted a mix of motivation: a compelling and meaningful job, cited by 25 percent; a desire to travel to space, 24 percent; the prospect of observing other planets, 21 percent; curiosity about the unknown, 16 percent; and the chance to view Earth from orbit, 10 percent.
Among younger children, the ambition to visit the Moon remains particularly strong, with 79 percent of those aged 5 to 8 expressing this wish. Among preteens and early teens, 66 percent of respondents aged 9 to 13 and 62 percent of those aged 14 to 17 still show interest in lunar proximity, indicating a consistently high appeal for lunar exploration across age groups.
Parents also showed notable awareness of space tourism, with about 89 percent having heard of the concept of ordinary people traveling into space or to low Earth orbit for recreation, research, or education. A substantial portion of families expressed openness to participation in space tourism programs, with 64 percent indicating they would likely consider joining such initiatives, and 62 percent recommending the opportunity to their children.
Looking at childhood aspirations, just over one-third of Russians surveyed (about 35 percent) dreamed of becoming astronauts or pursuing work in the space sector, while an additional 6 percent reported that their parents had once envisioned such paths for them. More than half of the respondents, roughly 59 percent, did not dream of a career in space, revealing a broad range of attitudes toward space careers within the population.
These trends are part of a broader discussion about youth interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and how future generations may engage with space exploration, education, and research. The survey highlights the role creators, educators, and policymakers can play in nurturing curiosity and providing opportunities for hands-on learning in space-related fields. The data also reflect evolving attitudes toward space travel and its potential as a gateway to science literacy and international collaboration, as reported by observers of the study and related analyses [Citation: Mediacom.Expert PR via Surveyolog.ru; summary reported by socialbites.ca].