Perhaps helping people who are in need and aren't able to help themselves would show more human progress than making a reusable rocket. I guess it depends on how you view progress. Personally, I think both are important. We shouldn't ignore people who are suffering when we could help, even if they don't live in our own country. We also shouldn't stop our own technological innovation because, among other things, technological innovation gives us the funding to help other people in the first place.