[AniseAbyss]

Easy to criticize other countries when you've already had your space race.

I do find it annoying that space is usually jingoistic bullshit involving flags and rousing speeches instead of actual science. I'm glad ESA never went that way.

[rocknor]

Absolutely. It's the same in case of climate change, easy to criticize other countries about their emissions when you've already had your industrial revolution. I mean, just look at this graph:

https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#$state$entities$show$countr...

I also agree with your point that sometimes space achievements are used for jingoistic purposes. But if you see the bigger picture (which most people don't sadly) you realize that it is a net positive overall for science and humanity. The jingoistic aspect is just a consequence of political reality.