I have read a good number of opinions that all that space is the whole point of the ball Earth theory. To make you feel insignificant and small and a total random bit of nothing. Come home to the flat Earth where life is good and the community is the whole solar system in your back yard.
Why you need to feel insignificant or small?
Universe just explains that you cannot move moon, you cannot move sun, you cannot travel to nearest star using our technologies... is it something that makes you small or insignificant? Do you really need to have "huge power" to feel good?
=====================================
On the other side... speaking about RE conspiracy to control people, why do it so complicated way?
If somebody wanna to control people, he don't tell people, that he is so un-powerful and small, and that you are exactly the same as your rulers. To rule people, you tell them that there is some huge force that is able to kill them or that this poor life you live is just a way to some another much better life (or if you are credible, you may say "its way to immorality"). Then if people will believe you... You will say "Im the delegate of that force, and I command you!!!! And don't try to disobey, because the HUGE FORCE (that you don't understand) will bring DOOM and then, you will confess why you don't listen to our commands."...
Yes still its easier to rule people the way you say that you are God or son of God (pharaoh), you may decide to kill millions and just say "that's my will"... you don't have to say "that's Gods else will" (because it brings questions: Is it really Gods will?... if you tell "that's my will" there is no question about it... its easier to force people to do what you wanna from son of God position... you dont need to tell them "god see it and he will judge you afterlife"... you just say them "Im God and I think you did wrong, you die and no other life for you [period]".
I don't say "God doesn't exist". What I say is that that most powerful force seen on our planet, and most powerful force of our history is Church. I mean the organization, not the religion.
Church may DO you "insignificant and small and a total random bit of nothing" from point blank if you don't behave right way, think right way or do your job. Why depress people about their insignificance? And how you control somebody who thinks "It doesn't meter"?