You basically proved my point: maybe you don't "dislike" them, but you are looking at their space program through an emotional lens of how you "feel" about them

You basically proved my point: maybe you don't "dislike" them, but you are looking at their space program through an emotional lens of how you "feel" about them, not based on their actual technical merit. It's an easy trap to fall into, but a dangerous one. We've also seen it manifested in the war prognosticating ("they're a bunch of drunks who will run out of missiles soon!"). Well, apparently there are some sober ones.