I’m not sure how the enormous investment in time, money, etc. is supposed to pay off in the long run.
we are just going to have to agree to disaagree.
Intercommunications between facilities via data(phone) links. Sounds like the Internet? It was
Minaturization of circuitry to maximize efficiency and minimize power consumption. Sounds like Integrated Circuitry? It was.
Medical advances in determining how to prevent bone loss. Sound like anything that can be done on Earth? Nope, only in zero gravity
Development of long term high calorie, concentrated food stuffs. Sound like MRE's?
A lot of the developments out of the space program are taken for granted today. Where to you think something like Krazy Glue came from? Testing of adhesives for the thermal tiles on the shuttle.
Not to mention the additions of welding techniques, wiring, fiber optics, digital cameras, hand held calculators. Solid rocket fuel development that was integrated into the ballistic missle systems, enableing a safer deterrent. Solar cells development, radio and telemetry advances that now have GPS an everyday usage.
And those are the things that I can think of just after a few moments.