I see nothing to back that up. Instead of building a space station for ourselves and modern spacecraft and or moom/bases, we focus on the "international space station" and support the notion that a nation can't claim land in space. With the exception of launching spy satellites, the shuttle missions are not doing anything to boost national defense. Instead of testing lasers, etc. they bring little ant farms up into space.
The research in space is maddeningly circular, also. "We are studying the problem of bone loss in space so we can prevent bone loss in space" etc. The "growing crystals in space to produce purer medicines etc." is widely considered to be a fraud. The only application of manned space flight that seems even potentially economically viable is space tourism. Maybe once space tourism gets going other applications will follow. Rutan has the right idea. NASA doesn't.
Digital technology and the internet are the most famous lagecies of the space program. Before the space program, cameras weighed over 400 pounds.
The space program began as a response to Sputnik. Then accelerated over who would have the first man in space. Then who would be the first to walk on the moon.
I agree that there is a lot not to like about the Shuttle.