The Conquest of Space

There are many worthwhile resources in space, theoretically exploitable by asteroid mining and the like. But unlike past gold rushes on Earth, an individual could not grab that for himself. That leaves glory, which is certainly achievable in space, up to a point. In the expanse, the Mormons do so, but they are not fleeing persecution. You could also imagine a new religion adopting the conquest of space as a key doctrinal element.