Where is NASA’s Outreach Plan?

Nasa’s recent entry in the Federal Register is about a questionnaire aimed at collecting feedback on specific NASA events. On the surface, it seems like a reasonable request for feedback. However, it also highlights a notable oversight: NASA is focusing on just a tiny fraction—less than 0.01%—of the U.S. population while planning to dedicate significant resources to analyze around 650 expected responses. It raises the question: why not gather opinions from a broader segment of the public about NASA’s broader impact?

The notice states that NASA is committed to disseminating information about its activities and enhancing public engagement in the nation’s space program. This is aligned with the mandates of the Space Act of 1958, which encourages the agency to expand human understanding of Earth and space. Organizing outreach events seems to be one of the strategies to drum up interest and knowledge about space. That part sounds good, as many agencies are required to conduct these kinds of surveys.

But looking closer, the data doesn’t add up. There are approximately 347 million Americans, and around 138 million of them will file tax returns, all of whom effectively fund NASA. So, how do the vast majority of taxpayers benefit? The answer is complex, and unfortunately, NASA hasn’t been effective in communicating this, even after decades on the job.

Interestingly, there’s a new Executive Order designed to penalize regulations that negatively affect the country. Yet, NASA appears more concerned with the opinions of a mere 35,300 individuals who attended specific events, rather than reaching out to the 99.98% who might not feel any real connection to its efforts. With only a 2% response rate anticipated from this group, the idea of spending over 4,000 hours analyzing what 650 guests think seems questionable.

Nasa might argue that they have robust outreach initiatives and active social media presences, not to mention some accolades. But when requesting measurable data—like the actual number of people they have engaged outside their usual circles—responses tend to be vague, often amounting to three sentences of fluff. It feels like there’s either a lack of knowledge about outreach effectiveness or perhaps, a reluctance to share what they do know.

Even more telling, if you ask for a structured outreach plan that defines how they engage with different audiences, the response is often “none.” There’s no solid plan for follow-ups or to analyze the demographics of those they do engage with. NASA is missing a crucial opportunity to maximize its vast reach and influence, particularly compared to other nations that are increasingly advancing their own space programs.

In essence, while NASA has been an exemplary entity in many ways, the failure to grasp how to leverage its accomplishments effectively could hinder its future endeavors. The agency might be facing pressure to regain its former glory, as numerous countries are relentlessly pursuing similar goals in space exploration.

If NASA falls behind, it may be a collective responsibility we all share.

For the full Federal Register notice, visit the official page.