Kudos for Mall of America, though, for taking that concept one giant step forward (hey a reserved parking space at the mall the week before Christmas is worth its weight in coupons).

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The German space agency (DLR), one of the "big two" in European space, is already pushing forward on a programme of scientific co-operation.

BBC: China in space: Running fast to catch up

But with many laboratory tasks being automated, there should also be scope to begin new activities, and the partners believe one key role for the ISS going forward will be as a development platform for deep space exploration.

BBC: Manned flight around Moon considered