I agree but I would say, the simpler answer is because there is only one super power. few decades ago the limited benefit of putting a man on the moon was comp

I agree but I would say, the simpler answer is because there is only one super power. few decades ago the limited benefit of putting a man on the moon was compensanted with the symbolic ass kickery of the soviets. Lack of competition kills innovation. For something as difficult and expensive as putting a man on Mars, there needs to be something more than short term commercial success.