It really shouldn't be considered as a zero-sum proposition. Once we start expanding out into space, it'll become more cost-effective as we bootstrap ourselves

It really shouldn't be considered as a zero-sum proposition. Once we start expanding out into space, it'll become more cost-effective as we bootstrap ourselves out of the gravity well. Eventually, assuming private parties are willing to push us to break out of the lull in LEO we've been in for decades when it comes to manned spaceflight. The important thing to remember is that space exploration will eventually be able to pay for itself countless times once we start seeing mining operations. There's an incredible amount of mineral wealth out there in the solar system that makes what we have here on Earth look paltry by comparison. The economic incentives will eventually start to shift, and from there, it'll be a lot easier to fund basic research in space.