When you spend money on space exploration, the cash does not get sent into orbit. It stays right here on the ground, fueling thousands of companies and workers and fosters innovation. That said, NASA has it’s own bloated bureaucracy that should be seriously trimmed. Competition with private ventures would help.
Except for the innovation part, you could say the same about massive govt programs to build pyramids in remote deserts, or dig massive ditches and then fill them in.
Unless you can convince me the moon is full of unobtanium, waiting to be hauled back and smelted into something useful.