What if more young people during the space shuttle era decided to be astronauts, astrophysicists, or just take more science courses? Maybe I don't understand y

What if more young people during the space shuttle era decided to be astronauts, astrophysicists, or just take more science courses? Maybe I don't understand your point but I think NASA has done a lot of good for humanity as a whole, despite the politicians. Should America be less powerful? I think China is growing fast and the question will be moot soon anyway.