Space-race technology and naval missile ruggedness

How much did the space race contribute to defensive missile development?

It helped with fuels and engine understanding, but naval missiles faced different scales of operation and harsher handling, including salt-water exposure.

The space race contributed better fuels in some areas and improved engine understanding. Differences in size and operating conditions limited the transfer to defensive missiles. Space launch systems receive extensive care and preparation. Naval surface-to-air missiles must tolerate rougher handling and salt-water exposure.