E.T.'s out there somewhere, say most Americans in poll

Most Americans believe there is intelligent life in outer space, but few think it can be found on other planets in the solar system, according to a Harris Survey released Monday.

The poll also found that in a month when many have been fascinated by the journey to Mars by Pathfinder and concerned about mishaps aboard the Russian Mir space station, there is strong support for new missions.The belief that there is intelligent life in space is more common among younger than older people and among the better educated, the poll of 1,002 adults July 9-14 revealed. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Harris pollsters said that since their last survey on these questions in 1996, the belief that there is intelligent life in space has increased to 59 percent from 53 percent. But belief of intelligent life in the solar system fell to 35 percent from 40 percent.

"Large majorities of Americans favor not just continuing research using the space shuttle but also more joint space missions with the Russians and other nationalities," said Harris Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Taylor.

He said most of those polled also would support a manned U.S. space station, more unmanned missions to explore other planets and sending astronauts to the moon and to Mars.

Paradoxically, the survey revealed that there is little support for the government spending more money on space research. Only 13 percent think the government is not spending enough on space projects and 42 percent think too much money is already being spent on space, according to the poll.

When asked about their desire to travel in space, 36 percent said they would be interested in going to Mars and 42 percent to the moon, the survey found. Of those who want to go to Mars, 62 percent were under 25 years old and only 10 percent older than 60.