I ask you to build tractors, but you build rockets?

Fifteen minutes later, the whole world knew something had happened to TMA-17M.

ESA, NACA, and the Chinese Space Agency have all been notified, along with requests for help.

Within ten minutes, all three major space agencies responded.

ESA is powerless at first, but they can help adjust satellites to confirm the attitude and precise movement trajectory of TMA-17M and provide assistance for rescue.

NACA did not have its own manned spacecraft at all and relied on Lucia's rockets, but they contacted SpecaX. Lao Ma was very concerned about this, but the manned Dragon spacecraft required temporary modifications, and even with the minimum requirements, it required at least 25 hours of preparation.

The Chinese Space Administration does have a Shenzhou 11 that was used as a backup for the Shenzhou 10. The rocket and spacecraft are both intact, but it is also unable to launch in such a short time.

Launching spacecraft for rescue operations has become impossible, preparing a rocket takes too long, and the demands are now too high.

Although it was impossible to launch a spacecraft for rescue, the four major aerospace agencies urgently set up a video conference within half an hour, racking their brains to think of how to carry out rescue.

ISS director Montal roared over the radio link:

"There are still 14 hours, a full 14 hours! With the power of all mankind, can't we get the combination of three humans, whose combined weight is less than 3 tons, out of danger within this time?"

In the video, Director Claire was the first to express his position:

"It's early morning here, but SpecaX has organized most of its employees to work. They will try their best to grab time and try their best to create miracles; the Dragon spacecraft can be modified with a manipulator. If it can catch up, there is still a glimmer of hope."

"The Alliance TMA-18M still needs to be transported horizontally. This process alone takes more than 10 hours. It is really too late."

"Can you find a way to push TMA-17M and let it correct its course and enter low-Earth orbit?"

"The structure of the spacecraft is damaged and it is impossible to dock at all!"

"No need for docking, just pull a rope and let the astronauts climb out and tie it down."

"..."

Experts from various countries have proposed various plans, and the Chinese Space Administration is also eagerly discussing it.

At this time, all frictions and conflicts must be put aside, and if the rescue is successful, what will be gained will be the spiritual BUFF of all mankind.

The boss directly asked Zhao Shu and Academician She who happened to be at the space agency:

"Shenzhou 11 is too late. Is there any other plan?"

Academician She: "It's too difficult. The Lucia Space Agency doesn't have a rolling backup plan like we do. Where can we find a spacecraft that is just right for launch in the world?"

Zhao Ju: "I saw the condition of the TMA-17M they shared. To be honest, it is very bad. Once the return capsule deforms and leaks air, the space suit can only last for two hours, and this possibility is very high."

After the two of them finished speaking, the boss could only sigh and walked to the window with his hands behind his back:

"Old Maozi is still the same rough guy, he doesn't worry about anything he does!"

Suddenly he turned around again:

"What about Xinyuan Aerospace? Do they know the news?"

Zhao Zhu: "It's useless to know. The Progress is now back at the factory for maintenance...Wait a minute, the Unity, the Unity is in Qiongzhou!"

The boss suddenly remembered that Unity, the backup of Progress, was still installed on the top of Xinyuan 2, and it had just undergone maintenance a few days ago!

"Contact Lin Ju immediately! I'll go talk to Baikonur right away."

…

Qiongzhou, Wenchang Launch Site No. 2 Final Assembly Building, Unity just completed maintenance three days ago, and it’s time again today.

Of course, there can be no accidents in the weather-proof assembly building, but this is a routine matter, and it is quite troublesome to dismantle it, so it doesn't matter if it is left like this.

Xinyuan engineers were leading people to conduct various data tests when they suddenly received a call.

"Hello? Oh...the Unity is in good condition and can be launched after refueling...What? What!"

People from the Launch Administration on the side heard his screams and quickly asked what happened.

Xinyuan's engineer put down the phone and firmly clasped his shoulder:

"Quick, hurry up and refuel! Unity will be launched in four hours! Human life is at stake, human life is at stake!"

…

During the online meeting, experts from various countries discussed a temporary plan as quickly as possible:

Let the Soyuz TMA-16M on the ISS detach, abandon the orbital module to reduce weight, and let the service module and return module fly over dragging a rope that fixes the astronauts' space walks.

Then it is best to have the three astronauts transfer within the rendezvous time of ten minutes. If not, let them climb out and tie the rope to TMA-17M, and try to drag it into low-Earth orbit to buy time for rescue.

The controllable time is very short, and the possibility of success is not high, because no matter how long the TMA-16M has limited fuel, it will fall into the atmosphere because it cannot maintain the orbit. Moreover, dragging an out-of-control spacecraft is extremely dangerous. .

This is a method with a success rate of less than one percent, but it is currently the most feasible and only feasible solution among all options. Now the astronauts on the International Space Station are ready to leave the cabin to figure out how to fix the rope.

On the other side, in the NACA broadcast, Ma Yilong was leading his employees to fight all night. The fourth successful recovery of Falcon 9 was completed just a dozen days ago. It is still not ready for completion, but a Dragon spacecraft is already ready to be loaded on it. , ready to be pulled directly to the launch site for launch.

Colleagues, friends, and relatives of the three astronauts are constantly in contact with the sky, hoping to cheer them up and actively wait for rescue, but it is obvious that they do not believe in the success rate of several rescue plans.

Now the communication channel is almost full of farewell calls between Arii Keimi and his 46-year-old wife who is preparing to be a widow, chattering non-stop; Oleg is still calm and calmly believes that he has no hope of survival; Lindgren is preparing In his last words, he said that he would compose a desperate modern poem in his last moments...

Thirty-seven minutes after the notification, and 53 minutes after the Soyuz TMA-17M suffered an impact, the Chinese Space Administration sent a new connection request.

The boss's face appeared in front of the huge screen, and people could clearly see the wrinkles and ravines on his face.

"Everyone, H1 space shuttle Unit 2 and Unity will launch in 4 hours, estimated at 12:15 Beijing time. Please open the measurement and control system and guide Unity to rescue TMA-17M."

After some explanations, the experts found out that there was a space shuttle that was on standby and had just completed maintenance, and they were immediately excited.

Subsequently, the data from the Unity was transmitted, and experts from various countries immediately began to evaluate and formulate rescue plans.

"Its engine is very powerful, with a thrust of 25 tons, which is enough, completely enough!"

"There is actually a folding robotic arm in the cargo bay? Thank God, this is the standard configuration of the space shuttle. Sure enough, the space shuttle is the ultimate solution for space missions."

"If Xinyuan-2 is used for launch, the second-stage rocket can carry the space shuttle for a long time, several hours. Now we can do a lot of things."

Solovsky also suddenly became excited. The possibility of success in rescuing Unity was too high. As long as the lives of the three astronauts were saved, his guilt would be much lighter.

Oleg, who was waiting for death, suddenly heard the call from the ground again, and subconsciously said:

"I'm Kononenko, is there anything else I can do?"

"Kononenko, please get into working mode immediately. A space shuttle will come to rescue you. Be prepared for a short escape. Be prepared for a short escape!"