Practical uses of big science projects

[Anomalocaris]

This thing here cost a billion dollars. We obviously have plenty of capital to burn for useless nonsense. I rest my case.

In fairness, this thing generates revenue.   

When there is sure and adequate prospect of revenue, there is not a strong requirement for capital to actually exist for it to be available for investing in the venture.   This is how banks can lend out much more for investment than the deposits it holds.

It's only when one could not adequately convince investors of certainty and magnitude of return on the investment on a venture, that one is much more likely to be required to actually possess the capital needed for investing in it.