Putting objects in space is important work. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), for example, is critical new technology that enables satellites to gather incredibly detailed data of Earth through clouds (think land of the long white cloud), and it’s already on the agenda for the University of Auckland and the National Science Challenge.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/innovation/112537392/space-30–how-it-will-solve-problems-here-on-earth