Yes, there are plenty of engineering/technological projects with a specific goals in mind - energy production is a good example, cancer research is another.
But the great minds know that knowing itself is power; one cannot set a result/goal if you don't know what you don't know!! As such the goal itself is simply 'knowing'....how to harness what knowledge you stumble upon is the next step. But as I said before, no one (at least the scientific community) begrudges if knowledge doesn't yield immediate returns!
People questioning 'fundamental research' here on the forum are just one notch away from the illiterates who question 'why space missions, when there's poverty?', 'why computers when there's hunger?'
Kya bhai teri problem kya he
Your going on a tangenet.
What's your issue with space mining?
Any reason why u find it non profitable.
China is already materialising portfolios for it, numerous of their Comapnies have shown interest in the space research.
And no country is really lagging behind when it comes to space, how else do u explain these companies like spaceX and Blue origin.
Space tourism is alredy the next big thing.
We are gonna visit earth's exteriors like we go to Switzerland for honeymoon.
If the travel cost is high then we will find ways to decrease it.
If our Metallurgy isn't upto the mark then we will find stronger composites.
If our suits can't withstand space so we'll explore new suite technology.