The space program was dual-use for getting better at making ICBMs, and we desperately wanted to keep up with the Soviets in our capacity to eliminate all human

The space program was dual-use for getting better at making ICBMs, and we desperately wanted to keep up with the Soviets in our capacity to eliminate all human life on the planet. It's great that we did something amazing in the process, but that kind of political will came from a very specific arms race.