Chapter 90 - 87 Space Rescue_1

minutes later, the entire world knew that TMA-17M had an accident.

The European Space Agency, NACA, China’s National Space Administration all received notifications, along with requests for help.

Within ten minutes, the three major space agencies had all responded.

The European Space Agency was first to admit they were powerless to intervene directly, but they could assist by adjusting satellites to confirm TMA-17M’s attitude and precise trajectory, aiding in the rescue effort.

NACA did not have its own manned spacecraft and relied on Russian rockets, but they contacted SpaceX. Ma was very concerned, yet the Manned Dragon Spacecraft required temporary modifications, which, even at a minimum, would take at least 25 hours to prepare.

China’s National Space Administration, on the other hand, had a Shenzhou XI spacecraft, which served as a backup for Shenzhou X. Both rocket and spacecraft were intact, but it was also impossible to launch within such a short timeframe.

Launching a spacecraft for a rescue operation became impossible; preparing a rocket took too long, and the requirements were too high now.

Although unable to launch a spacecraft for rescue, within half an hour, the four major space agencies still urgently established a video conference, wracking their brains for a rescue plan.

ISS leader Montal roared over the radio link:

"We have 14 hours left, a full 14 hours! Can’t we mobilize the strength of all of humanity to extricate a combined entity weighing less than 3 tons, holding three human lives, from danger in that time?"

In the video, Director Claire spoke first:

"It’s early morning here now, but SpaceX has already gathered most of their staff to work. They will do their utmost to race against time and strive to create a miracle; the Dragon Spaceship can be equipped with a mechanical arm, and if it can catch up, there’s still a glimmer of hope."

"The Union TMA-18M still needs to be transported horizontally, and just this process will take over 10 hours, it’s indeed too late."

"Is there a way to give TMA-17M a push to correct its course into a near-Earth orbit?"

"The spacecraft’s structure is damaged; it can’t dock!"

"We don’t need to dock, even if we just throw a rope and let the astronauts climb out to tether."

"..."

Experts from all countries offered various solutions, and China’s National Space Administration was also eagerly discussing.

At this moment all friction and conflict had to be set aside, and moreover, if the rescue were successful, it would be a morale boost for all of humanity.

Big Shot directly asked Zhao Zong and Academician She, who happened to be at the space agency:

"Shenzhou XI won’t make it in time; do we have any other plans?"

Academician She replied, "It’s too difficult. Unlike us, the Russia Space Agency does not have a rolling backup plan. Where in the world can we find a spacecraft ready to launch at a moment’s notice?"

Zhao Zong added, "I’ve seen the shared status of TMA-17M, and to be honest, it’s not good. If the re-entry module deforms and starts leaking, the spacesuits can only support them for two hours, and the probability of this happening is very high."

After they finished speaking, Big Shot could only sigh, turning to look out the window with his hands behind his back:

"Russia is still the same old roughshod way, nothing they do ever brings peace of mind!"

Suddenly, he turned around:

"What about New Yuan Aeronautics? Have they been informed?"

Zhao Zong replied, "It’s no use if they know; the Progress is currently undergoing factory maintenance... wait, the Unity! Unity is in Qiongzhou!"

Only then did Big Shot suddenly remember, the backup for the Progress, the Unity was still mounted on top of the New Yuan-2, and it had just undergone maintenance a few days ago!

"Contact Lin Ju immediately! I’m going to speak with Baikonur right now."

...

In Qiongzhou, at Wenchang Launch Site No.2 Assembly Building, Unity had just undergone maintenance three days ago, and now the time had come again.

Of course, in the shelter of the assembly building where it’s shielded from wind and rain, no accidents were likely, but this was routine procedure. Taking it apart and putting it back together was quite troublesome, yet leaving it as is wouldn’t cause any problems.

New Yuan’s engineers were leading a team to perform various data checks when suddenly they received a phone call.

"Hello? Oh... Unity’s condition is very good, it can be launched after fueling... What? What!"

The officials from the launch management agency heard his exclamation and quickly inquired what had happened.

The engineer from New Yuan put down the phone and firmly grasped his shoulder:

"Quick, go fuel it up! Unity has to be launched in 4 hours! It’s a matter of life and death, a matter of life and death!"

...

In a teleconference, experts from various countries discussed and came up with a temporary plan at the fastest speed:

They would have ISS’s Union TMA-16M undock, jettison the orbital module to reduce weight, and have the service module and re-entry capsule tow a rope used for astronauts’ spacewalks over.

Then ideally, they should transfer the three astronauts within the few minutes of rendezvous time. If that wasn’t possible, they’d have them exit and tether the rope to TMA-17M, attempting to tow it into a low Earth orbit to buy time for rescue.

The time for control was very short, and the chances of success were not high, since TMA-16M had a limited fuel supply. If it took much longer, it would fall into the atmosphere due to an inability to maintain its orbit. Furthermore, towing an uncontrollable spacecraft was extremely dangerous by itself.

This was a method with less than a one percent chance of success, but as the most feasible and the only possible option at present, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station were already preparing to exit and figure out how to secure the rope.

Elsewhere, in NACA’s live feed, Ma Yilong was leading his employees in an all-night effort. It had only been several days since they successfully recovered Falcon 9 for the fourth time, still unready, but a Dragon Spaceship was already prepared to be mounted and directly taken to the launch site for launch.

The colleagues, friends, and families of the three astronauts kept making contact with space, hoping to boost their spirits and have them await rescue actively, but clearly, they didn’t have much faith in the likelihood of the rescue plans succeeding.

Almost the entire communication channel was filled with Keimei Arii and his 46-year-old wife, who was preparing for widowhood, chattering incessantly in their farewell talks; Oleg remained calm, stoically accepting his apparent lack of hope for survival; Lindgren was preparing his last words, saying he wanted to compose a terminal modern poem in his final moments...

minutes after the announcement, 53 minutes after Union TMA-17M was hit, China’s National Space Administration sent a new request to connect.

The Big Shot’s face appeared on the large screen, and people could clearly see the deep wrinkles on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the H1 space shuttle, Unity, will launch in 4 hours, estimated Beijing time at 12:15 PM. Please open your telemetry systems to guide Unity on its mission to save TMA-17M."

After explanations, the gathered experts realized that a space shuttle was on standby, having just completed maintenance; they were thrilled.

Soon after, Unity’s data was transmitted, and experts from all over the world began to evaluate and formulate a rescue plan.

"Its engines are very powerful, with a full 25 tons of thrust, enough, totally sufficient!"

"There’s even a folding robotic arm in the cargo hold? Thank heaven! That’s standard equipment for space shuttles, indeed space shuttles are the ultimate solution for space missions."

"If launched on New Yuan-2, the second stage rocket can carry the space shuttle for a very long time, several hours, this gives us a lot to work with."

Solovskiy was also invigorated at once; if Unity went for the rescue, the chance of success would be much greater. As long as the three astronauts’ lives were saved, his own culpability would also be much reduced.

Oleg, who had resigned himself to death, suddenly heard a call from the ground and responded reflexively:

"This is Konoenko; is there anything else that can be done?"

"Konoenko, please enter working mode immediately. A space shuttle is coming to rescue you; get ready for temporary spacewalk, get ready for a temporary spacewalk!"