• More than half of Australian adults (54%) watched footage of the Artemis II launch, either live or afterwards. 
  • One in six Australian adults (16%) tuned in to watch the launch live. 
  • Six in ten Australians (60%) say events like Artemis II are a powerful reminder of global cooperation (26% strongly agree, 34% agree), with just 8% disagreeing. 
  • More than six in ten Australians believe it is vitally important that the benefits of space exploration are shared for the good of humanity, rather than privatised for corporate gain.

In the wake of the Artemis II launch, new research from YouGov reveals that space exploration continues to capture the imagination of Australians, offering not just a moment of awe, but a reminder of what global collaboration can achieve.

The study found that more than half of Australian adults (54%) watched footage of the Artemis II launch, either live or after the event. Notably, one in six (16%) tuned in live equating to nearly 3.5 million Australians experiencing the launch in real time. In total, more than 11.5 million Australians engaged with the mission in some form.

A shared moment, especially for younger audiences

The launch proved particularly compelling for younger generations. Nearly one in four (24%) Gen Z adults watched the event live, followed by 17% of Millennials, highlighting the enduring appeal of space milestones among younger audiences.

Brooke Schlesinger, Associate Director of Custom Research at YouGov, who led the study, said: "Despite real challenges in people’s day‑to‑day lives, from cost‑of‑living pressures to housing, our research shows that many Australians still see genuine excitement, significance and value in the exploration of the universe and our stars."

A symbol of global cooperation

Beyond viewership, Artemis II appears to have struck a deeper chord. Six in ten Australians (60%) agree that missions like Artemis II are a powerful reminder of what humanity can achieve through global cooperation.

At the same time, 46% believe space exploration is essential for the future of humanity, with younger Australians leading this sentiment. More than half of those aged 18–24 (53%) and 35–49 (55%) see space exploration as critical, compared to around four in ten among older age groups.

There is also growing support for Australia to play a bigger role. Two in five Australians (40%) believe the country should increase its investment and participation in global space programs, nearly double the proportion who disagree (21%).

A clear preference for shared benefits over privatisation

While interest in space is strong, Australians are clear about how its benefits should be distributed. More than six in ten (62%) believe it is vitally important that the gains from space exploration are shared for the benefit of all humanity, rather than concentrated among major corporations.

Support for this view increases with age, with 66% of Gen X and Baby Boomers agreeing, compared to 53% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials. Interestingly, higher-income Australians (household income above $150,000) are the most opposed to privatisation, with 74% supporting shared global benefits.

When asked about future milestones, Australians are most eager for one answer above all: whether we are alone in the universe. More than one in three (34%) hope to see confirmation of past or present life beyond Earth within their lifetime.

Methodology

The survey was conducted online between 2–6 April 2026 with a nationally representative sample of 1,035 Australians aged 18 and above. Data has been weighted to reflect the Australian adult population (18+).

All research was conducted in accordance with ISO 20252, the international quality standard for market, opinion and social research. YouGov is ISO 20252 accredited, ensuring rigorous standards in research design, data collection, analysis and reporting.

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