I don't know the factual answer to your question, but just wanted to point out a potential motivation between such a discrepancy if it is real: western states h

I don't know the factual answer to your question, but just wanted to point out a potential motivation between such a discrepancy if it is real: western states have already achieved much of the benefit from space tech, and are ahead, giving the luxury of thinking about such things. Other states have not, so likely don't want to invest in research that would prevent them reaping the benefit others already got. Something like how it's developing nations that didn't get benefits from early industrialization (or indeed were exploited as a result of it) sometimes push back against climate policies which they feel are shutting them out of all the benefits that the historical polluters have gained.