Srinagar, Sept. 13 -- "How long have you been here at the International Space Station?" the South African astronaut asked, looking at the Chinese scientist and his Russian colleague.

"More than 200 days," the Chinese scientist replied quietly. "Our mission was supposed to last only a week, but technical problems changed everything. We are still waiting for the day we can finally return home-to Earth."

The South African astronaut smiled reassuringly.

"Everything will be fine. Humanity has always found a way to take care of its own-especially those who leave Earth to serve humanity."

The Russian cosmonaut lowered his eyes.

"Perhaps," he said after a long silence. "But sometimes I wonder whether humans remember humanity even when their ...