Space exploration indeed had a role and we’ve reaped the rewards in terms of technology, but advances are continuing to be made.
If we as a country weren’t teetering on implosion, had our fiscal matters in order, secured our borders and adequately funded and manned our military, perhaps we could pursue ventures like moon villages. But currently we have more pressing priorities.
If we’re not pursuing ventures on the moon and beyond then none of the rest matter. There is no pressing priority higher than survival. Here try out this sentence:
“Finally in 2120 we got our house in order and solved the [your pet issue here] problem, then the asteroid hit”.
If we don’t get off the rock we’re just re-arranging the deck chairs. It is inevitable that something bad will happen and we will no longer be able to live here. Asteroids, solar storms, poll reversals, ice ages, the sun just plain turning off; all of these WILL happen eventually, maybe sooner, maybe later, but the question is entirely when not if. There is an expiration date, we can either find a way to survive it, or try to take comfort that at least we lowered the national debt before it all ended.