[infinotize]

Would SpaceX and rocket technology in general be where it is today without the historical pioneers and stepping stones? The title premise is ridiculous. Apollo 11 was one of the major historical events of the modern era and probably inspired countless engineers and scientists to take up their craft. The reusable rocket development is certainly a keystone of the future of space exploration and SpaceX is on the leading edge of it, but no one is going to remember where they were in 30 years on the day the Falcon 9 landed itself (okay, maybe some of the team and a few others).

What the Apollo missions pulled off is still mind boggling, today: people landed on the moon, walked and drove around, and came back safely.