NASA launched the Discovery Space Shuttle just a short time ago - 1 hourish. It is heading for the ISS, International Space Station.

Russia's Soyuz spaceship returned with three cosmonauts aboard and landed in Central Asia….safe but 120 miles off target…bringing back among others, the first Malaysian cosmonaut from the (ISS).

China will miss the space station by a moon-like distance when it launches its first lunar orbiter tomorrow at 6:05pm China time to serenade the moon.

Japan's Kaguya is already circling the smaller light. 

Space exploration…is it worth it?

Once visiting Russia's great science hall in Moscow where they boast of the

accomplishments of the motherland, I say their space pavilion. I was really impressed and told my Russian friend who was with me.

He responded - "Ya, we can go to space, but we can't feed our people."

Russia, the United States, China can go to space…Japan, too…but can we get along here on Earth?

Or is the cooperation in space about getting along?

If so, then where are Japan and China headed?

 See also:

NASA Shuttle Launch vs. China's Lunar Probe vs. Russia's Soyuz

Discovery Space Launch, Russia's Soyuz and China's Chang'E 1