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But why is it that for the billions we spend on space exploration for things that we will most likeley never benefit from in our lifetimes
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Oh, quite contraire.
Without the space program of the 1960s, you'd lose far more then "tang".. in fact, a lot of developments that came out of that make major changes in our industries..
You know, little things like:
Microprocessors (computers anyone?)
Solid-fill capacitors (circuit boards)
Compressed metals cars..
GPS
Cellular phones
digital TV
The list is enormous of things that were invented for, or by, the existence of a space program.
Right now, other countries are SERIOUSLY outspending us in the space field, with China leading the way with a planned moon-base by 2019, for full factory useage.
Sound goofy? Not really.. as the needs of R&D for microprocessor companies grows, the existance of a contaminate free, low gravity environment would play significant benefits in the development of future chip technologies, which help drive multiple industries.
The exploration of space is part about science, the expansion of our presence in the universe, but it is also about moving us forward here with scientific developments that help our industries.
Seriously, whoever manages to start using the moon first for actual R&D development in a full-scale way will have a fairly significant technological advantage in many economic sectors..