I don't disagree with your wider point that their are other useful motivators out there but it's worth noting that the space race was militarily motivated. Sput

I don't disagree with your wider point that their are other useful motivators out there but it's worth noting that the space race was militarily motivated. Sputnik flying overhead effectively showed the soviets had/would have the ability to drop bombs anywhere in the world. Even the space shuttle was influenced in design by militaristic influence.