I think the definition of progress is misdirected specifically because of capitalism. It is a truly sick and broken society that spends more effort going to space than it does to provide lunches in school or daycare for children.

I would argue that things like space exploration actually fuel the working class to better notice the contridictions.

“Progress” use to be a tool of distraction. But we are overwhelmed with distractions every day. Our life is filled with distractions as we scroll through our phones. I would agree with you historically that progress in technologies or discoveries have given us “toys” to keep us distracted. But Mars? Mars is nothing but a massive “fuck you” to working class people that can’t afford eggs.