Space exploration pushes/stretches scientific development. Because of the space program of the 1960's-present, we have made many technological developments, as well as pure scientific research. Pure scientific research is a long term investment, as it pays dividends later on.
During the Vietnam War, the USA developed precision strike weapons -- based on Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). This led to worldwide GPS systems for navigation. Few people know how to read a paper map for navigation purposes, anymore. Without Space Tech and Research, GPS would not exist.
Telephone calls outside your local Area Code used to come with a premium Long Distance fee attached, per minute! Today, thanks to cell phones running on nationwide, and global, networks, bouncing off of satellites orbiting the Earth, those long distance fees within the USA, are gone. Even overseas calls are much more affordable: they no longer require an operator to complete the call for you -- you dial direct to the desired person!
The Internet relies heavily upon satellites to relay information around the entire Earth! I have conducted video conferences with people in Asia, Europe, South America, and other places, as part of my job, using the Internet: full motion video, and sound, bouncing off of satellites in orbit, with zero lag time… These video conferences cost my employer pennies!!!
The entire Information Age became possible due to space research and technology… Take Space Research out of our history, and the world would still resemble the 1950's. I like the Information Age. It's been one helluva time, watching it develop (I was born in the 1960's)!
These are just a few examples of what the Space Race brought to the whole World, as developmental benefits. Your taxes, and mine, helped pay for all of it… Every nation is interested in participating in the Space Environment, not just the Big Boys, anymore. Every nation hopes to get a slice of the Space Tech pie for their people, and for their national pride. That requires they put their tax funds into it.
If interested, do a Web Search on scientific developments from the space program. It brought home a lot of dividends to the whole world, not just the USA. Cheers!
