I think you are all missing an important point.

The beauty of space research is it is not disruptive of social order. It deflects resources to an enterprise that "we" participate in, can take pride in and elevate our assessment of ourselves for having done; without jostling in any meaningful way our social structure. Importantly, the people I could look down on before the event, are still right where they "should" be; the people I look up to...well some have been elevated in fame, but I look up to them already, so meh.

So its a safe way to spend surplus that does not threaten anyone; symbol creation rather than social transformation.