The "S" in NASA is what they need to get back on track with. Nothing to show for it??? Spend just a little time at
NASA in their technology transfer program, and try again.
Again, spend just a little time in the technology transfer section of the NASA web site. There are all kinds of technologies that were invented to solve space travel issues that are now used everyday here on Earth. They even have a Mars section to show what technology is being worked on to solve anticipated problems. If you don't see an economic benefit to clean air, clean water, food growth in low water, energy generation, and energy storage, then I am not sure I can convince you of any economic benefit.