Posted on 11/06/2025 12:13:27 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
A global plea is growing for Elon Musk to rescue three Chinese astronauts stranded in space after their return capsule was reportedly struck by an 'unknown object.'
The Shenzhou-20 team, mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie, launched to China's Tiangong space station in April and were set to return home on November 5.
But officials revealed this week that their spacecraft may have sustained damage while docked in orbit for the past six months.
Chinese officials are unsure what struck the spacecraft, but the damage is believed to have been caused by space debris, which is basically junk floating around the Earth from older space missions and rocket launches.
The alarming incident has reignited memories of NASA's two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were marooned aboard the International Space Station (ISS) last year after a capsule malfunction.
Musk's SpaceX was credited with carrying out the rescue, and many online now believe the billionaire's rocket company may once again be humanity's best hope.
'Send Elon,' one user posted on X. Another wrote, 'When you're stuck in space, who you gonna call? Elon Musk and SpaceX.'
A well-known aerospace expert and science blogger, Yu Jun, who goes by Steed's Scarf online, explained that if officials conclude the damaged spacecraft is too risky to bring back, they would likely move to a 'plan B,' which could involve launching a backup return vehicle from Earth.
(L-R) Astronauts Wang Jie, Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui have been stranded on the Chinese space station Tiangong until their return vehicle can be repaired
The Shenzhou-20 team launched to China 's Tiangong space station in April and were set to return home...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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When I first saw the headline today I knew this was coming.
Elon, The Space Rescuer.
Never forget: Asians are supposed to be the smartest.
Just say “No!”
The Chinese use the Russian docking standard, which isn’t the same as the one the rest of the world - including the SpaceX Dragon - uses.
An adaptor would have to be flown up with it - perhaps in the Dragon’s trunk. A spacewalk would then be required to install it - but what would anchor the Dragon while that is happening?
Knowing the chinese, it a copy of a russian design though.
I can’t believe the Chinese would want or accept an American rescuing their astronauts.
There is just something special about Musk even though his personal life is a train wreck.
When humanity needs help they call on Musk. Disaster after disaster. Starlink. Space X. And Twitter.
I honestly do not believe Trump would have won without Musk. Glad to see he is back to picking Musk’s pick for NASA
“space station Tiangong”
They sure missed some good naming opportunities:
* “Space Station Seven Happiness”
* “Space Station Lucky Number”
* “Space Station Kung Pao Kapow”
* “Space Station Wie Tu Lo”
* “Space Station Panda-monium”
and they plan to go to the Moon
They might be able to maneuver to the ISS, depending on the damage.
* “Best Happy Space Station”
The Chinese only have 1 ship ?
There should be no need to connect the crafts. One of the Chinese crew could tether the two crafts. Then the crew could sequentially space walk to the Dragon. The last crew member could then untether the crafts and enter the Dragon.
A cargo Dragon should be enough for them
Knowing Elon he probly has the technical specs running around his head and already knows what needs to be done.
Who ya gonna call? ELON, ELON, ELON!
Sure...Elon can just whip up a rocket and send it on up. No problemo.
“Asians are supposed to be the smartest.”
One billion Chinese were smart enough to not volunteer for the mission.
Lol.
China is only interested in not losing face in public rather than the astronauts.
They better knock nice.
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