Unless you allow the possibility of launching from a launchpad that didn't exist at the time ([and the Soyuz pad in South America doesn't support crew launches even now][1]) - placing your question into "completely hypothetical" mode - the answer is no, as stated in the [CAIB report][2]. They didn't even consider rescue anyway, just launch of supplies. >There has been some discussion regarding the possibility of sending supplies to Columbia using an expendable launch vehicle – to lengthen the amount of time available to ex- ecute a rescue mission. Because of Columbiaʼs 39-degree orbital inclination, an expendable launch from a launch site with a latitude greater than 39 degrees would not be able to reach Columbia. This rules out a Soyuz/Progress launch. There was an Ariane 4 in French Guiana that successfully launched an Intelsat satellite on February 15. The challenge with developing a supply kit, building an appropriate hous- ing and separation system, and reprogramming the Ariane seems very difficult in three weeks, although this option is still in work. CAIB report Volume 2 Appendix D.13 [1]: https://www.space.com/14262-esa-manned-soyuz-launches-french-guiana.html [2]: https://history2.nasa.gov/columbia/CAIB.html