NASA generates over $70 billion in economic output and supports nearly 340,000 jobs in the US. https://www.nasa.gov/specials/value-of-nasa/

For every dollar put into NASA, it reportedly puts up to $21 back into the economy. https://www.inverse.com/article/39318-nasa-budget-contribute-to-the-us-economy

NASA is the rare government program that is a huge net benefit for society. It’s helping us here on Earth, right now.

Why not do both?

I hope you realize that many innovations we use today on Earth is thanks to innovations created for space exploration. It’s unfortunate that many don’t seem think be able to see that.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spinoff_technologies

Compared to the astronomical wealth waste that the US gives up each year alone, not even counting the military budget, NASA consistently brings a 7:1 profit ratio while also providing some of the most important critical science used to create clean energy.

So NASA going to the moon really does help beautify our planet, so much more than most of the other shit we waste money on.