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We’re currently in the information age, which is due to silicon. In a few hundred years, this time may reasonably be called the silicon age. Society has only recently transferred to the silicon age from the previous iron age. If we don’t cause a total collapse of our society, then we will be in the silicon age for a few hundred more years, and that will likely include space colonization.
The space age you’re referring to is likely the 60s, when space exploration was beginning. A decade or two isn’t long enough to be considered an age.
As an example, UW Madison which has a fairly large and profitable athletics program generated 12 million in profit last year. They aren’t the largest athletics program in the country, but it is bigger than many. Sits around the middle.
The patents and IP owned by the university provided $134 million in grants and support. Again, the school has a large STEM component, but it isn’t a top tier university. Again, sits around the middle. The organization providing this funding manages its investments carefully and intends to provide this level of funding year after year.
Research departments generated more revenue and the funding is likely more reliable.