Perhaps research should progress beyond combustion engines? Is blowing things up the only way? And my sense of wonder has been pretty much extinguished by the realization that space is a locus of human power dynamics and incorporation, not a utopian pursuit, but very selfish.
Much cheaper satellites. Used for things like predicting weather, monitoring climate change, allowing for communication that serve as an alternative for travel, advancing the frontiers of science, and so on.
Yes, advances in technology are used for wasteful things too, that doesn't mean they aren't still good for humanity.
