There is little technology difference between the solar system explorers and military spy satellites or how they got up there. Since the Stone Age the military has been the primary driver behind “cutting edge/bleeding” technology. And war has been the primary driver of genetic and cultural human evolution. It’s why humans are the most genetically developed animal on Earth despite the late start. Knowing that the need for large amounts of military spending should be evident. World peace is a hippie pipe dream. Human means war maker.
I’m not against defense spending. But to think that we can go on indefinitely spending like a bunch of drunken sailors without it being detrimental to the country is a little nuts in my opinion. At some point our country will fall apart.
I'll concede that orbital mechanics and rocket design can have a dual purpose. But my original statement was I think NASA has provided more in the technology/knowledge realm than the Pentagon. I think the scientist with glasses and pocket protectors were working on ways to get to the stars before the Generals decided it was also a good way to drop bombs on the Russkies. And I think chicks have been the primary driver of genetics and cultural human evolution, almost everything a man does can be traced back to his desire to impress girls and get laid.