Another question is "Ahead or behind" of what?
I assumed it meant of all possible histories, probably starting from PODs after 1900, say.
Nazis V2s in our TL really, REALLY pushed us forward, although we've slacked off hugely in the last 30 or so years.
If it meant 'from where we should have been', well then we're behind.
You assumed incorrectly. My very post stated that the poll was referring to our current state of progress in space. Not our current state based upon all possible histories.