It redirected a potentially apocalyptic cold war into the peaceful development of fundamental science and new technologies - and into a project which unified all peoples in newfound understanding of ourselves as a single species, miraculously clinging to single pale blue dot.

Of all outcomes one might imagine, this seems among the better. An alternative reality in which all this wealth is invested solely in the welfare of humans is unrealistic; one in which it is squandered on terrible weapons and endless war is all too plausible.