A lot of the science that is used for Space Exploration and other types of technological research that may seem useless at the time have been advanced all other areas of research including AIDS and Cancer research.
You would be surprised at how much of the technology we have today is directly related to NASA's efforts and the efforts of the Space Program.
It would not surprise me if similar advancements were made because of a "meaningless" exploration of the earth's core.
I would like some of Seven of Nine's nanoprobes, to probe me
Wine me dine me, seven of nine me!