>>214075000
Space programs are just the commercial avatar for better weapons payload delivery systems. Every single "spaceship" booster was really just an ICBM repurposed for space launches. They were public shows of power. If your spaceship could reach x orbit so fast, or go so far, or do so at such a small size, etc.
Even now, starship is first and foremost a weapons payload vehicle. Starlink is a military installation. They just get wrapped up in consumer uses so the public doesn't lose its collective mind, and because it's way easier to signal power that way.
Britain is a nuclear armed country and should probably care, though I guess you basically just use our Tridents and various GLBMs anyways, so whatever.
