I disagree with the entire premise of using space to fix earth's problem but, were that possible, how does sending a rocket straight up (to 1/4 the height of th

I disagree with the entire premise of using space to fix earth's problem but, were that possible, how does sending a rocket straight up (to 1/4 the height of the International Space Station) and then straight back down help us get anyone to space? We already have technology that does more than that. Even calling it "space" is really a stretch. I do understand that big public projects drive technology interest and adoption as well as national pride, and everyone likes that. But I can't see how a short ride up and down 1/4 of the way to an existing "space base" is much of an accomplishment aside from those pride-based goals.